Graphic Novels: Jason Shigna's "Meanwhile"

I decided to review a unique comic called "Meanwhile" by Jason Shigna. The comic directs the reader with tabs at each side of every page. This allows readers to choose the next step in their adventure/adventures reading it. The comic allows readers to go through it not only once, but various times. This may seem time consuming, but it is a very fun and unique experience. Though it will take time to go through each and every different path while attempting to avoid destroying mankind, it could become quite addicting. Your story starts out with the main character/hero Jimmy who is deciding whether to buy a chocolate or a vanilla ice cream cone. From here on, your story begins with this type of everyday choice. The comic allows you to choose your own adventure which is very similar to books from childhood. Further into the story when Jimmy(you) meets Professor K, you are given chances to play with one of three inventions:a memory transfer helmet, a time machine, and a Killtron 2000 (destroys the planet). Once you get familiar with the types of choices you make, the choices begin to get more difficult such as deciding to kill everyone on the planet or deciding to travel through time. Overall, the comic is based on the decisions you make much like role playing video games such as Fable II for Xbox 360. The branching story definitely communicates in many ways through words, pictures, and frames. The way it is framed through branches communicates that you are able to decide your story and control what is going to happen. It gives the reader the benefit of going through the story various times. Like in all comics, each picture communicates what Jimmy (you) are going to be doing. The pictures mostly describe an action or an option of what you will be choosing between. Words are shown in the puzzle-like storytelling comic to describe the action in situations you get into throughout the storyline. The comic uses simplistic language which makes it easy for the reader to find out exactly what they will be getting theirselves into. The colors of the pictures give into each feeling and a sense of where you are. For example in the lab with Professor K, blues and oranges are used to give it a more scienfific feel. The beautiful thing about this comic is that as the reader, you have the right to choose which paths you will take and which story the graphic novel will tell. The whole thing is very mathematical and the various options you have available as a reader is just mind blowing. The unique non-linear fashion is a very creative idea given you are reading through pipes which move you onto the next panel.