Heavy Liquid

by Paul Pope

I really am kicking myself for not getting into Pope's work sooner.  Heavy Liquid is a masterpiece of his brand of relationship-heavy science fiction.

In this book, the main futuristic element is the existence of Heavy Liquid, a highly caustic metal that has mysteriously appeared on the Earth.  Most people are trying to use it for its explosive properties, while S, our protagonist, has discovered that if cooked a certain way, it becomes a liquid that, when placed in the ear, has a drug-life effect on the user.  He is, of course, an addict.

When we first meet S, he and his partner have been found out by a local criminal organization, and his partner has been killed.  S has to go on the run, but is also expected to do a job for The Collector, a rich man who wants to own the world's only statue cast in heavy liquid.  He needs S, who has skills as a 'finder' to track down the greatest living, and reclusive, artist to do the work for him.  What he doesn't know is that S once was in a relationship with this artist, and it would seem he is the reason why she dropped out of sight.  There's even more going on than this, but this gives you an idea of what the book is about.

Pope has a good handle on these characters and the world that they live in.  The book is populated with strange individuals, like the girl gang that S runs across as they mete out revenge on men that have wronged them.  There is also an interesting array of technology, like the 'threads' that people use to communicate, which also appeared in 100%. 

As always, Pope's art is stunning throughout the book, and its unique look is augmented by the blue and pink colour scheme that he has chosen.  Like his other books, this is highly recommended.