The Luminous Presence (a quiet film about cosmic rage)
writer: David Arnold
artist: Jose Pimienta
Colorist: CAP Ward
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication date: September 2024
Growing up can be a dangerous and tricky business. Growing up in an apocalyptic world overrun by zombie squirrels is, unsurprisingly, just as difficult, if not more so. The Luminous Presence, the latest graphic novel from Penguin Random House, focuses on best friends Ty and Berg, aspiring filmmakers who find themselves at a crossroads in their post-high school lives. Ty initially agrees to take a gap year to strengthen their portfolio, but he has a secret that could destabilize their friendship catastrophically.
Award-winning cartoonist Tilly Varden The graphic novel is described as follows:
“A gorgeously rendered adventure that captures the pain and joy of adolescence in a world gone mad.”
written by novelist David Arnoldknown for works such as I loved you in another lifethe dialogue is real and organic. The characters all feel unique, and there’s plenty of world-building that hints at the larger apocalyptic world the characters find themselves in. Very realistic filmmakers rarely feel the sensation on the nose. Both Ty and Berg are well-realized and you get a good sense of what they are like and how they deal with their experiences. If there’s a weakness in the writing, it’s that the story can feel a little directionless at times, often lacking a sense of tension to propel the plot the way it needs to. If you like stories that are heavy on character and light on plot, you’re probably totally fine, but I feel like they could be better balanced. Suffice it to say, there was a moment near the end where its punch wore off, and I couldn’t help but wish it had had a little more kick. Additionally, the apocalyptic elements are handled well but raise more questions than answers, focusing instead on feel and character.
Illustration by Jose Pimientawith words such as twin citiesthe artwork is great. Pimienta’s writing is moody and atmospheric, with a soft and sensual style that perfectly matches the young adult tone of the book. The character designs are memorable, with the right mix of detail and style perfect for a piece like this. There are moments where Arnold lets the artwork tell the story, and these quiet, subtle moments are some of my favorite moments in the book. As the story goes on, you can feel the Pimientas becoming more comfortable and confident, and they really start to show off their stuff by the end of the book. Arnold and Pimienta have great chemistry and it feels like they work together, and I can see why these creatives are drawn to each other.
The entire graphic novel is bathed in beautiful hazy colors CAP Ward. This is my favorite part of the book and I think it captures people’s attention the most. The book becomes a beautiful dreamscape in Ward’s hands, bathed in hues of purple, orange, blue and black. This is a testament to the importance of colors in the comics medium and how they completely define the look of any given graphic novel. I think Ward has a bright future because of how good they’ve been.
Teen graphic novels have been on the rise recently; Luminous Creatures This is a great example of this type of story. As someone who is not that far removed from my pre-college gap year, this story is full of emotion and really speaks to what people might be going through or have done. Well, except for the zombie squirrel apocalypse.
comprehensive, Luminous Creatures There are more successes than failures. While its story has some growing pains, the dreamy and hazy atmosphere at its center is wonderful and illustrates the power of comics as a medium to make you feel. I’m sure it will be an inspiration to many young people at a crossroads in their lives, comforting them and reassuring them that they know they will be okay. That alone makes it well worth it.
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