Raven Gregory’s Fly TPB [Review & Giveaway]

January 18, 2012 in Art,Comics with 43 Comments

There are very few comic books that I will go to the trouble and expense of owning both the individual issues and the trade paperback. Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol is one and Death: The High Cost of Living is another. And now I can add Raven Gregory’s Fly to that very small, exclusive list.

As most readers are aware, I loved Fly when it came out. It was even my pick for Best New Title of 2011. But what I didn’t expect was to enjoy the book so much more as a trade paperback. Being able to read the whole story in one sitting makes Fly go from a really, really great comic to a truly outstanding story.

For those that don’t know, Fly is the story of Eddie Patron and the drug that gives him the ability to soar among the clouds and, in turn, ruins his life. Gregory tells the story in both the past and the present as we see the beginnings of Eddie’s relationship with the love of his life Danielle and also the tragic end. We meet Francis, who first turns Eddie on to the drug Fly and the mysterious man looking for revenge.

The amazing thing about Fly is how by the end of the book, you really care about the cast and what they’re going through. You feel emotionally invested in them and their situation. This is because Gregory is writing Fly from personal experience as he uses memories from some of the darkest times of his life to give the book a real world feeling. Take the drug Fly out and substitute any other narcotic and the story would still have the same power and raw emotion.

But any great comic book is only as good as the art and here artist Eric J really shines. Somehow, Eric J uses two totally unique art styles for the different portions of the story. For the flashback sequences, he uses an innocent, almost manga inspired style that reflects the innocence of the young cast. Now, his art is much more gritty and detailed, showing how the years and experiences have worn down Eddie and Danielle. Plus his art, regardless of the style used, is just flat out great. Solid storytelling skills go hand in hand with an ability to mix intimate moments with widescreen flying sequences. Eric J brings the world of Fly to life in beautiful, disturbing detail.

Fly is a book that no fan of great comics should be without. Raven Gregory and Eric J have created something very special here and it is a title that deserves more attention. Volume 2 is coming in 2012, so jump on the bandwagon before it is too late. Fly is a hell of a ride and you owe it to yourself to find out why.

Zenescope was nice enough to provide us with a copy of Fly Volume 1 to give away to one lucky Geekadelphia reader! Just leave a comment about where you would go if you could fly and we’ll pick a random winner at the end of next week. Please make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment and books can only be sent to addresses in the United States and Canada.

About David Goodman: David has been a geek ever since he saw Star Wars at age 7 and then bought his first action figure. In between working on his webcomic New Book Day and writing for Geekadelphia, David watches too much television and reads way more comic books than can possibly be healthy.

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43 Responses to “Raven Gregory’s Fly TPB [Review & Giveaway]”

  1. Richard January 18, 2012 at 9:16 am #

    simply put, I’d love to FLY beyond the rainbow bridge and spend time with my lost animals.

  2. Aaron January 18, 2012 at 9:35 am #

    Fly to Dubai. Because they rhyme?

  3. Adam January 18, 2012 at 10:43 am #

    Would definitely fly to Machu Picchu and enjoy that lost city in the clouds

  4. Sam January 18, 2012 at 2:06 pm #

    I would love to fly around the world and travel. I never have got a chance to travel. I have wanted to fly since I was a little girl. It was always my biggest wish and still is.I would first go to Disney Land, then Japan, then Finland and everywhere in between! I would love to see the world, meet wonderful people and smile more and more everyday!

  5. helvis presley January 18, 2012 at 2:44 pm #

    i’d fly somewhere warm for the winter.

  6. Jason January 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm #

    I’d fly all over the place and make a stop in Philly! I love that city. Gotta get some Pat’s and Geno’s baby!!

  7. Heather January 18, 2012 at 2:53 pm #

    I would Fl to the Valley Of The Kings and enjoy the view from the top of the Great Pyramid

  8. Angel January 18, 2012 at 2:53 pm #

    If I could fly, maybe the Pyramids in Egypt. It was one thing my mother wanted to do. As she has passed on, I would go on her behalf.

    Best, and keep on blogging.

  9. Joseph Johnson January 18, 2012 at 2:54 pm #

    I’d fly to Scotland.

  10. Charles January 18, 2012 at 2:56 pm #

    Every convention possible understanding that the ability to fly does not provide one with unlimited funds. OR would it???

  11. Sable January 18, 2012 at 2:56 pm #

    You MUST go to New York City. There is so much fantastic architecture there, and big buildings to “play” in. Imagine flying up to the top of the empire state building, standing on the head of the statue of liberty, or drifting from building to building. Not to mention how much fun it would be to watch the immense flow of pedestrians and taxis and traffic down below!

  12. Sherry January 18, 2012 at 3:01 pm #

    I would fly to the stars to see what life there really is out there…How cool would that be…Aliens FTW…!

  13. Brandon January 18, 2012 at 3:08 pm #

    I would fly directly to Prague! I visited there years ago and absolutely fell in love with the city. I would drag my lady along with me, as long as my arms didn’t give out :)

    Thanks!
    Brandon

  14. Breez January 18, 2012 at 3:09 pm #

    I would fly wherever the whim took me, just for the freedom of flight and leaving the worries of the land behind briefly

  15. lee wronke January 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm #

    The place I would use the fly drug is the place where my true love resides.

  16. Dominic Rand January 18, 2012 at 4:07 pm #

    I remember seeing Ebass facebook talking about the drawing the front cover, what an artist

  17. Dominic Rand January 18, 2012 at 4:08 pm #

    Where would I fly, has to be space on the understanding that I could also breathe

  18. William Helsley January 18, 2012 at 4:12 pm #

    Would be to Australia

  19. Jared Earickson January 18, 2012 at 4:27 pm #

    I would love to fly to where ever the TSA wasn’t watching.

  20. Christopher Flynn January 18, 2012 at 4:50 pm #

    I would love to fly around the world, just to visit with family. Traveling these days is so expensive and then you have the delays and cancelations that come with airlines. It would be nice to travel whenever you wanted for free to see your far flung family.

  21. Jennifer Valimont January 18, 2012 at 5:03 pm #

    I would fly anywhere and everywhere. My first stop would just be above the city where I live to quietly see life from a different perspective. sometimes all we need is a little reminder sometimes :)

  22. Andrew January 18, 2012 at 5:13 pm #

    I would just fly. F landing!

  23. Colleen W. January 18, 2012 at 5:21 pm #

    If I could fly anywhere it would be to the Emerald Isle and search for what’s beyond the rainbow

  24. John Lewis January 18, 2012 at 5:26 pm #

    I would remember to zip my fly.

  25. Robert Renken January 18, 2012 at 5:34 pm #

    Australia

  26. Donald Dougherty January 18, 2012 at 5:40 pm #

    To Phoenix or Mesa or Tucson so I could be around for one of the comic cons that Raven,Nei, and Mike are always at.

  27. Raven January 18, 2012 at 6:10 pm #

    Greetings to One and All,

    Where would I go if I could fly?

    To quote lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Nadia Ali, “Crash and Burn”:

    “We flew, rockets to the sun
    Knowin’ we’d crash and burn
    That’s the risk we run when you fall, in love
    Rockets to the sun
    Knowin’ we’d crash and burn
    That’s the risk we run when you fall, in love”

    A highly recommended song for all you non trance listeners out there. Take a chance and give it a try!

    RavenIsis

  28. TeamWilson January 18, 2012 at 6:27 pm #

    If I could Fly i would fly south for the winter, Maybe to Chile, and Enjoy their beaches.

  29. evic January 18, 2012 at 6:47 pm #

    I’d fly to the top of Mt. Everest ust to say I’ve been there :)

  30. Katie January 18, 2012 at 8:42 pm #

    I wouldn’t know where I was going until I saw it. I’d want to fly somewhere beautiful. Somewhere few eyes have ever seen. I’d fly until I found it and stay just long enough to enjoy it. It might take a life time of searching the skies, but that one moment would be worth it.

  31. confuletlyf January 18, 2012 at 8:53 pm #

    I’d just be flying straight up, as I high as I could. The free fall back down would be intense.

  32. shane s January 18, 2012 at 9:48 pm #

    if i had the ability to fly i would not have a singular destination. the act of flying alone weaving about in the sky would be good enough but to go all out and see the whole of the world, that would be my destination!

  33. Christine January 18, 2012 at 11:15 pm #

    I’d fly to hawaii. I can afford to vacation there, it’s the getting there that breaks the bank!

  34. Danielle Goodale January 18, 2012 at 11:57 pm #

    I would fly to Bora Bora and kick some random tourist from their bungalow :)

  35. Katrina January 19, 2012 at 12:08 am #

    If I could fly, it’d be a multi stop tour. I’d start in Arizona..seeing my fiance, Raven, Kate, Ross and all the gang there. Then, I think I’d fly to England and visit a friend there.

  36. Ramiro Garcia Jr January 19, 2012 at 2:01 am #

    I would fly and take my wife with me for a visit to the beautiful land of Japan!!!!!! :)

  37. Monika January 19, 2012 at 5:08 am #

    Japan, I think that would way save on Air fare ;D but i think the actual flying would be more amazing than where you’re going.

  38. richard boom January 19, 2012 at 9:31 am #

    Easy… I would fly to the NYCC or the Longbeach Comicon to hug Raven!!

  39. Pace January 19, 2012 at 10:14 am #

    I would twice as high and take a look in a book. double rainbow, double rainbow.

  40. Dave January 19, 2012 at 1:45 pm #

    In the immortal words of Ralph Cramden, “To the moon, Alice!” ^_^

  41. BradyDale January 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm #

    I’d spend all my time flying in and out of really oppressive countries, dropping things off, talking to people and fomenting change.

    I’d also fly into the windows and homes of really bad corporate leaders and try to scare the pants of them and make them quit taking advantage of everyone and everything.

    Yeah, I’d try to be a superhero of a sort. You bet.

  42. John Wiest January 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm #

    I’d fly back to Heidelberg Germany where I grew up but haven’t been back in over 15 years.

  43. Dee January 20, 2012 at 10:56 pm #

    I would fly to the Netherlands where my grandparents grew up.

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