Review by Aziz Bawany

Writer/Artist: Niklas Asker

Published by Top Shelf Productions

The Swedish comic’s movement hits Top Shelf Productions and one of their initial offerings, Second Thoughts, is a thought-provoking piece in the style of many autobiographical comics. Niklas Asker’s graphic novel follows two different lives as they first interconnect and then breakdown into their own individual drama. While many graphic novels examining the bare-necessities of human emotion tend to move plot towards a coming together point, it’s refreshing to find this one little moment in an airport play out in such an important manner.

Jess is a writer whose life primarily follows her material, whereas John tends to not confront his problems as he decides to run away. Their airport conversation is brief, but the action that follows: interesting. Asker’s use of perspective when it comes to Jean really brings forth the character’s own inner demons as she balances a broken relationship with writing the perfect manuscript. Jess buries herself in work as a coping mechanism as her girlfriend is a handful and the only way she can even deal with her is to write through the pain. This comes out through a heated argument that comes to represent and transplant itself into the world of John, whose similar issue with life and love tend to hold him back.

Both characters have a problem confront their nature and while not at fault for many of the events that take place, there is a certain level of cowardice informing the actions of both. As John comes to terms with his love life and the pitfalls and grand moments, its Jessica’s stripped down nature that really moves the whole story forward. Her book becomes the catalyst for moving on with life, and how it mirrors with John continues to be a meaningful entrance into the brief periods of these people’s lives.

Asker’s art works in bringing forth the mundane parts of life and emphasizing the raw emotion associated with feelings. John’s face is a dead give away for all his guilt and doubt, making the man who dwells too much on his past a tad guiltier for his choices in life. His cowardice is painted perfectly and by the time of the ending, it’s a nice transformation as both characters grow up and mature in ways necessary to moving forward in life.

For his first graphic novel, Asker does a great job at looking into a fractured world and pulling out feelings and dramatics. If his next work is able to capture that same feeling and employ unique perspectives on storytelling, then the comics industry is better off in the grand scheme.

Rating: 9 out of 10 (Excellent!)