Mind the Gap #15 Review
“R.I.Peterssen” Part 3: “The Escape”
Publisher: Image
Writer: Jim McCann
Artists: Rodin Esqueja & Dan McDaid
Colorists: Jessica Kholinne & Lee Loughridge
Cover: Rodin Esqueja & Arif Prianto
Review by Eric Owens
Elle Peterssen has died before, but it’s never been like this. In a state of limbo, Elle contemplates the journey of life and the freedom of approaching death. Meanwhile, two sides struggle over her comatose body. Both sides are in for a surprise. Could there be another player unseen until now or is someone in Elle’s circle of family and friends keeping secrets?
As Mind the Gap concludes its first Act, the history of Elle’s condition is revealed. Throughout her life, her body has shut down many times, reviving after a while with no apparent harm. Over the years, the episodes have become less frequent, but their duration has increased. Understandably, her family is concerned. What lengths will they go through to help her and what secrets will their investigation reveal? In these flashbacks, we see some characters in new lights, changing the way we interpret their relationships with Elle.
Elle’s search for herself and the bonds of family are the two competing themes at the heart of this issue. Before everything happened, she was dealing with the same struggles of many young adults: a boyfriend that her parents disapprove of, a best friend whom her mother hates, an overbearing mother who believes she knows what’s best, a younger brother she doesn’t get along with. Then came the fall off the subway platform that left her in a coma, her mind wandering through the Garden with all of the others hovering between life and death. Those she left behind are forced into conflict with each other, caring for Elle in their own ways.
The art duties in this issue are split between two teams. Rodin Esquejo and Jessica Kholinne handle the scenes in the present, while Dan McDaid and Lee Loughridge take care of those set in the past. The two approaches are exceedingly different. The present is smooth and richly colored. The characters in the hospital are largely inexpressive, their faces masks unwilling to risk betraying their intentions and their knowledge of the opposing side. When they do break down in a moment of grief, it’s unclear if the masks are slipping entirely or being replaced with new ones. Elle, meanwhile, drifts and dives through a bright whiteness, her body radiating and ethereal bluish glow.
In contrast, the past is rough, sketchy, and often drably colored. Here the characters emote strongly. Smiles are broad, eyes fill with determination, rage, and sorrow.
The interspersed stories find clever ways of connecting visually. For instance, a segment from the past has a downward shot of a young Elle making snow angels. The following page, set in the present, starts with an upward shot of snow falling on the hospital with its grotesques perched on the roof, wings unfurled.
There’s a lot left unsaid in this review and plenty left intentionally vague. McCann and company have worked hard to craft their ongoing mystery and to reward attentive readers. It probably isn’t a shock that the cause of Elle’s coma was no accident. There wouldn’t be much of a mystery otherwise. Discussing the who and why behind it would be spoiling a dozen twists and surprising revelations. See for yourself and get caught up on Act I before Act II begins in December.
Writing: 5/5
Art: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Eric is a contributing writer for Drunk On Comics. You can follow him on Twitter at @EricDOwens.