Comic Book Review - Crossroads

Rob checks out Crossroads...

This review is going to be a little different to my normal reviews and as such I won't be scoring Crossroads at the end of this review. 

So, what's it all about? 

Writer, Dino Caruso describes Crossroads as a "short, simple comic about regret, literary devices, and realizing that, if you try hard enough...you'll find all the clues you're looking for". And I couldn't agree more. 

There isn't a lot to really say about Crossroads. It isn't an action-packed trill-ride, it's not (as far as I'm aware) part of some elaborate interconnected universe, and it's definitely not a mass Superhero epic. Crossroads is a simple story about life's regrets, or what we presume as regrets. It's an interesting topic to create a comic on and Dino Caruso has grasped the feeling well. 

So, Crossroads follows an unknown character who's contemplating about a past regret. In an almost monologue way, this character takes us through his relationship with Iris. From their College meeting, to the passing of ways,and all the trials and that were made along the way. It's a poignant story that will relate to quite a lot of people. I often lament on my past regrets and in away it's nice to see the situation play out within these pages. If anything Crossroads shows that although life is full of regrets, there's often something good just sitting behind it. 

When it comes to writing, Dino Caruso grasps the concept quite well. Throughout Crossroads you get the impression that the story could be (and possibly is) writen from the writers own experiences. The small details are what makes the story and the little nods to the Scorpions library of sad songs, and even Elton John's up-beat tempo. It's these notions that people do go through when their feeling happy or sadness. It can be a little tough to read in places as the central character switches between situations quite quickly, but to me this felt a lot like a portrayal of how someone who over thinks acts. 

If you've experienced regret before (who hasn't?) then Crossroads is incredibly relatable. It's a short, simple - yet effective tale about love, life and everything inbetween.

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev

You can also check out more of Dino Caruso's work by clicking here.