Sometimes, if you read books from a given editor or publisher, you can get a sense of what type of stories they like to produce. After reading last year's Quantum & Woody miniseries, as well as her ongoing X-O Manowar series, I get the impression that Senior Editor Heather Antos favors a very fun and friendly color palette. I wouldn't necessarily term it pastel, as many of the colors are strong and bright. But they seem soft and rich, and overall, I enjoy the effect they give her books.
Of course, I cannot go further without mentioning that the colorist on Quantum & Woody and X-O Manowar is Ruth Redmond, and the rich way she colors X-O Manowar has made me very much her newest fan.
By the way, if you have not yet read the preview pages for Savage #2, I would encourage you to page through this blog and do so. While I try not to drop any spoilers, reading the preview graciously provided by the folks at Valiant Comics may give you a greater appreciation for this focus on Triona Farrell's efforts.
In Savage, Triona Farrell takes on the privilege of coloring Kevin Sauvage's adventures in London, England. Her coloring brings this busy world-class capital city to life, and helps us believe in a youth culture fascinated by the latest internet sensation. With Savage #2, she ushers us into the secret research facilities of Project Bizarre.
While Triona colors the central action in this panel in bright, fun colors, I'm struck by how she frames this scene with darker blues and greens. That rivets our attention on Kevin and his captor, Professor Nealon, while also showing us the scope of just one of his laboratories.
Still, she tantalizes us with all we can't see, such as the pinkish creature in the glass enclosure on the right hand side. I wonder what kind of animal or dinosaur that tail or tentacle belongs to?
This panel, with its bluer, or cooler colors, reinforces Professor Nealon's view that bioweapons are cool. I also like how Triona's cast him in shadow. Is this her subtle way of suggesting that, despite his disarming manner, he's really an evil villain?
Here's another interesting contrast of light and darkness. While I suspect that penciler Nathan Stockman would have inked in the equipment on either side, the background has been left blank and devoid of color. This focuses us on the characters. Intriguingly, while Triona casts Professor Nealon in some shadow, she bathes Kevin in it.
Meanwhile, Mae shines vibrantly, clearly the center of attention. I want to know more about Mae, please!
The way the background coloring of the Project Bizarre facility leans heavily toward green makes me wonder what writer Max Bemis, or perhaps Senior Editor Heather Antos, is trying to suggest. Does the way Letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou colored the term "Savage" in this panela relate to Triona's coloring of the secret research laboratory? Or for that matter, the way Triona has colored most of the dinosaurs in Savage #2 green?
Regardless of my colorful musings, Triona Farrell has enriched Savage #2 with her talents. The series stands comfortably beside Ruth Redmond's contributions to Quantum & Woody and X-O Manowar. Senior Editor Heather Antos is to be congratulated for utilizing such talented colorists, and injecting youthful fun in her series for Valiant Comics.
Dragon Dave
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