Three shadows

Title: Three shadows
Pictures and words: Cyril Pedrosa
Published: 2007 by First Second
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 272


I get to read a lot of comics at work, and I really should write about them as well, so that I'd remember which ones I really want to buy some day. This is one of those.

There are three shadows standing outside the house of a small family: Louis, Lise, and their small son Joachim. The parents know that the shadows are out there for the child, and they're there to take him away. To prevent this, Louis takes Joachim and flees, hoping that he can keep running from the shadows and keep his son alive.

Pedrosa has worked for Disney before as an animator, and this shows in his style. It is, to put it simply, beautiful. Art in Three shadows is in black and white, and it's not too 'finished', making it seem all the more alive. Reminds me of Jeff Smith's Bone, if Smith didn't work with so much black in and clear lines.

This comic is well worth the money just for the art, but the story shouldn't be forgotten, either. Pedrosa wrote it after the son of some dear friends died very young. Three shadows, then, is about what parents are ready to do to protect their children, and what they can and can't do. It's beautiful, funny and touching, with a touch of magic. Really worth checking out.


Here is an excerpt of the first ten or so pages.