Things Undone

Written & Illustrated by Shane White

Published by NBM

Shane White’s Things Undone has one particular trait that may draw some readers in, but in the end, it’s a gimmick that works against the book’s success. The book’s protagonist, Rick, feels his life spiraling out of control, largely due to his own refusal to make decisions or take control of his indifference. Consequently, as his life slips away, Rick begins to turn into a zombie – literally (or perhaps figuratively, you decide in the end). It’s a conceit that will grab some genre fans’ attention, but zombie fans are likely to find the effect wasted and non-genre fans will find it simply pointless.

The problem is that, outside of a few body-pieces-falling-off gags, the zombie element has no real import on the story. Sure, it’s cute when Rick staples his ear back on, but it’s a one-panel gag amid pages and pages of non-zombie content. It’s ultimately about Rick, his girl, his coworkers, and his own ennui. The supernatural elements don’t add to the narrative; they distract from it.

And it’s a shame, because there’s a pretty compelling story at the heart of Things Undone. White’s dialogue is solid and effective, if not overly compelling. Rick, White’s zombieifying protagonist, manages to come across as sympathetic and well-meaning, even when his own indifference distances him from his girlfriend or coworkers. Flashbacks are used effectively to keep the plot engaging.

Artistically, White’s stocky, cartoony drawings allow for instantly relatable characters. Page layouts are clear, and the panel-to-panel story progression is consistent and solid. Two-toned in orange and black & white, White’s color usage doesn’t seem to enhance the narrative, but the single hue does provide some variety from traditional b&w illustrations.

Overall, Things Undone is almost a solid comic.  In both story and art, White’s narrative is effective.  Its flirtation with genre storytelling, however, does not enhance the basic theme in any moving manner, nor does it uplift White’s perfunctory dialogue and illustrations.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Features, News & Views. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.