26

SECONDS

Author: Bryan Lee O’Malley

Additional Credits: Jason Fischer (Drawing Assistant), Nathan Fairbairn (Colorist), and Dustin Harbin (Lettering)

Volumes: Stand alone release

Publisher: SelfMadeHero [click HERE for hardcover edition Amazon page]

Disclaimer: I haven’t read this one in a while, but it left such an impact on me that I plan to make time to pick it up again, and what I do remember left a big enough mark that I’d still want it in this list above many more recent reads. On the bright side, this means my chance of spoiling anything is low.

Bryan Lee O’Malley is one of the only authors in this list to have two comics appear. Seconds, unlike Scott Pilgrim is a story focused more on the “what-ifs” of life than dealing with the here and now. While both stories are slice of life tales with fantasy woven in. Seconds leans much heavier into traditional fantasy with a lot less pop culture referencing and a lot more character drama.

There’s a great sense of panel flow that I find we don’t see enough of in western publications too, as well as character writing that feels so concrete and relatable. Then there’s the colour work, something that appears to have been planned out with just as much care as everything else if not more so; in true complementary fashion to Bryan’s style, the colour palette Nathan Fairbairn utilizes is often limited yet highly effective at bringing each and every panel to life.

Plot wise, Katie Clay is a founder of the restaurant Seconds, and is looking to make her next move in the restaurant business, unfortunately for her the renovations of her new restaurant are taking much longer, and costing a lot more than she had originally expected, not to mention her social life is not quite what she wants it to be. She is awoken in her room one night by a strange girl that hands her a notepad with instructions and a single mushroom. By writing down her desires and eating the mushroom, Katie has been given a reset button.

It’s a stand alone comic this time around for Bryan, just know if you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim, there’s a really strong chance that this will work to your tastes too. I haven’t read this one in a while, so I can see myself picking this back up in the new year.