The Unwritten #8

Written by Mike Carey
Art by Peter Gross

This issue serves as an interlude in the current story arc, and shines the focus on Governor Chadron, the warden of the prison where Tom Taylor's been confined. Chadron is no stranger to the Tommy Taylor stories - he reads them nightly to his children, who have over-identified with the characters. The kids 'play Tommy Taylor' constantly, and his daughter has managed to develop herself a touch of a psychosis around the whole thing, as she is unable to distinguish between fiction and reality.

This issue examines the place of fiction and childhood imagination in the real world, and demonstrates the dangers of believing too strongly in magic. Carey and Gross are doing some interesting things with this title. It took me a while to get drawn into it, but now I find with each issue I am enjoying it more and more, especially when the main story steps to the side, as it did in this month's installment.