Flight, Volume Four

Title: Flight, Volume Four

Written by: Kazu Kibuishi

Publisher: Villard 

Summary:

The fourth opulent Flight anthology showcases 30 stories by mostly young, animation-influenced artists. If it doesn't soar quite as high as its predecessors, many of whose standout contributors have moved on, it still features plenty of top-notch talent. Highlights include another installment of animator Michael Gagné's saga of the plucky young fox Rex, Amy Kim Ganter's manga-derived tale of an epic clash between a fish seller and a clam seller, Sarah Mensinga's story about a girl who escapes grief via a magic box that can stop time, Johane Matte's delightful depiction of a comically jealous Egyptian cat, Clio Chang's media-age updating of Red Riding Hood, and Andrea Offermann's surreal account of what appears to be the end of the world by means of elephant attack and aerial invasion. In most of these stories, plots are minimal, and many are wordless. The collection's substantial appeal lies primarily in the impressive variety of often stunning artwork, presented in full color that ranges from the thoughtfully subtle to the vividly lush.