Echo #16 - Abstract Studio

Another great issue by Terry Moore. Last issue Ivy talked Julie into coming back to Colorado with her. She's convinced that Julie, or rather the alloy she's covered with, can do something to help cure her daughter, Lulu. Although once there she begins to have second thoughts. She's supposed to be protecting the people, but rather she's talked Julie into trying to help her with her own problems. She feels guilty about being selfish. Anyways, Julie agrees to come but she doesn't feel completely comfortable so she brings her sister Pam along. She tells herself that her sister needs her, but really . . they need each other. Also, Julie has another passenger along for the ride . . Annie. The scientist who was in the metal when it exploded . . Dillon's fiance. The more the alloy covers her body, the more she can feel Annie's presence in it. Anyways, long story short . . Julie realizes that the alloy is acting on her emotions. When she feels pain, or anger it lashes out. But when she feels compassion, well . . anything is possible. She did bring Dillon back to life. So she asks Ivy to give her some specifics on Lulu, so that she can feel close to her. She then holds her close to the bare metal and tries to put herself in Ivy's place, as far as the love and compassion that she feels towards her. Next thing we know . . Lulu shows a breakthrough. Julie did it. I'm thinking though . . has it crossed her mind yet that maybe she can help her sister in the same way? Anyways, when Lulu talks they're all overwhelmed with joy, and Pam tells Julie . .'Told ya you could fly.' It was a really touching moment. Meanwhile back at HenRi, the scientists are trying to keep Liu alive. He the young buck who created the proton gun to take out the alloy. The problem is, there was an explosion and he was severely burned. They want to keep him alive so that they can get his plans for the proton gun. They're not being very subtle about it either. I thought this was another great issue. Terry does such a great job of taking us into the characters emotions and feelings. You can really feel Ivy's love and frustration this issue. He also does a fantastic job with character development. We have a handful of characters now, and each is important to the story. I really only began this series because of my love for Strangers in Paradise. But now, after 16 issues, it's really grown into it's own entity. Any comparisons I was trying to make in the beginning are completely gone now. This is definitely one of my favorites every month.