Signs and Voices: Prophecy in Blue #1 (Easy English)
Deaf Power Publishing House
Story by: Zamurrad Naqvi
Deaf Consultant and Translator: Ksenia Balabina
Deaf Consultant: Neil Magdani
Comic Writer: CJ Hurtt
Illustrator and Letterer: Jorge Correa Jr.
Colorist and Letterer: Diogo Nascimento
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: The struggle to achieve unity between the hearing and the deaf begins here.
Review: Signs and Voices, much like Inverse Press' Flesh of White is a bold move in storytelling in the world of comics. As it deals with the subject of people who are deaf, a subject you don't really quite see in comics except maybe every great once in awhile and then its left alone for a long while again. Only with Signs and Voices, you have people wanting to be major jerks by trying to start up crap with the deaf and even potentially persecute them. Seriously, how much of a jerk do you have to be to start pulling that kind of crap!? Bigotry and Power together are two combos that have always proven to never be a good thing. And Signs and Voices is another way of showing just how bad that combo can be. Now I believe this title came in two versions, one that is more for mainstream audiences and one for the less mainstream. Such as the target audience of this book. I believe I read the one aimed at the target audience more than the mainstream one.
But as I understand it, both Easy English and Mainstream are designed to help combat against any literacy issues any readers may have as they read this. So if one has problems reading say Mainstream for example, they can simply and very easily switch to Easy English. A fairly great concept I think. Seeing sign language used in this was also another nice touch.
While I enjoyed the art of Jorge and the nice addition of Diogo's colors, the story itself is not something that entirely sold me. As none of the characters are really all that likeable, but in some cases you do feel either sorry for them such as the Queen's kid for the crap he's currently going through and she herself not even knowing about it. But I bet once she does, there's going to be Hell to pay! A woman, especially a mother scorned is never a good thing. Now yes, I did feel for the members of the Deaf community themselves as they too are dealing with jerks who'd rather see them gone or worse. Unity people, unity is what we need. Not more hate, which is something the bigots in this story, especially the ones in power aside from the Queen herself. Really need to learn, and learn very soon. I can only imagine how bad things are going to get. Though I still find myself unsure as to how her son managed to age so quickly after 18 months. Not even a newborn should be looking like he's already around 10 years old after 18 months. Hopefully answers wind up coming, as I am rather curious on it. So if you're looking for something a little different, this just might be for you!
Editor's Note: To find out how you can acquire a copy of your own, head here!
Deaf Power Publishing House
Story by: Zamurrad Naqvi
Deaf Consultant and Translator: Ksenia Balabina
Deaf Consultant: Neil Magdani
Comic Writer: CJ Hurtt
Illustrator and Letterer: Jorge Correa Jr.
Colorist and Letterer: Diogo Nascimento
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: The struggle to achieve unity between the hearing and the deaf begins here.
Review: Signs and Voices, much like Inverse Press' Flesh of White is a bold move in storytelling in the world of comics. As it deals with the subject of people who are deaf, a subject you don't really quite see in comics except maybe every great once in awhile and then its left alone for a long while again. Only with Signs and Voices, you have people wanting to be major jerks by trying to start up crap with the deaf and even potentially persecute them. Seriously, how much of a jerk do you have to be to start pulling that kind of crap!? Bigotry and Power together are two combos that have always proven to never be a good thing. And Signs and Voices is another way of showing just how bad that combo can be. Now I believe this title came in two versions, one that is more for mainstream audiences and one for the less mainstream. Such as the target audience of this book. I believe I read the one aimed at the target audience more than the mainstream one.
But as I understand it, both Easy English and Mainstream are designed to help combat against any literacy issues any readers may have as they read this. So if one has problems reading say Mainstream for example, they can simply and very easily switch to Easy English. A fairly great concept I think. Seeing sign language used in this was also another nice touch.
While I enjoyed the art of Jorge and the nice addition of Diogo's colors, the story itself is not something that entirely sold me. As none of the characters are really all that likeable, but in some cases you do feel either sorry for them such as the Queen's kid for the crap he's currently going through and she herself not even knowing about it. But I bet once she does, there's going to be Hell to pay! A woman, especially a mother scorned is never a good thing. Now yes, I did feel for the members of the Deaf community themselves as they too are dealing with jerks who'd rather see them gone or worse. Unity people, unity is what we need. Not more hate, which is something the bigots in this story, especially the ones in power aside from the Queen herself. Really need to learn, and learn very soon. I can only imagine how bad things are going to get. Though I still find myself unsure as to how her son managed to age so quickly after 18 months. Not even a newborn should be looking like he's already around 10 years old after 18 months. Hopefully answers wind up coming, as I am rather curious on it. So if you're looking for something a little different, this just might be for you!
Editor's Note: To find out how you can acquire a copy of your own, head here!
