The New York Five #3

Written by Brian Wood
Art by Ryan Kelly

Even if I didn't care about the story or characters in this comic, I would buy it for the full page panels of New York that Ryan Kelly is drawing.  This issue opens with a splash page of one of the girls (not sure if it's Riley or Ren) skateboarding up a street, and then moves on to large images of the tenement the girls live in, the interior of the Strand, a coffee shop, Washington Square, St. Mark's Place, Veselka, the entrance to the subway, and numerous large character shots.  While they make the comic a quick read, they are amazing pieces of art, demonstrating Kelly's mastery of both people and architecture.

The story still feels a little choppy in places, but I've become so fond of most of these characters that it doesn't bother me in the slightest.  The girls seem to be drifting apart, as Ren makes a big announcement, and Merissa heads off to handle her family responsibilities.  Riley starts talking to her sister again, and Lona's boyfriend puts her straight about her creepy stalker behaviour.  We start to get to know Olive, the homeless girl, a little better too.

I'm not sure what to expect from the last issue of this series next month, but if it's nothing but Ryan Kelly New York scenes, with Brian Wood inserting his thoughts about the places, then I'll be perfectly happy with it.