Clockwork Lives (HC)

Title: Clockwork Lives (HC)
Publisher: Insight Comics
Written by: Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart
Art by: GMB Chomichuk, Tom Hodges, Vic Malhotra, Tony Perna, Moy R., Benjamin Roboly, and Vincente Vegas 
Colors by: Adrian Crossa and Alba Cardona
Letters by: A Larger World Studio
Cover Art by: Hugh Syme
Price: $ 29.99 US, $ 39.99 Can
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Website: www.insightcomics.com
Comments: "Chapter I: Introduction" One mode of travel is shown here and it is unlikely you have ever used it. The art showing it gives you a spectacular view. 
  Marinda is a loving daughter who now has to deal with her father passing away and she is now alone in the world. Now her life and adventures truly begin. 
  "Chapter II: The Inventor's Tale" This is a tale of Marinda's father when he was younger. Mr. Peake becomes better and better at fixing and maintaining machinery. 
  Marinda must travel to Crown City on her quest to keep her home and inheritance. All she wants is a quiet life yet she must now go on an adventure and see more of the world. She is a realist so she does what she must. She is startingto live her life and not just exist as things are becoming exciting. 
  "Chapter III: The Steamliner Pilot's Tale" Captain Pennrose meets Elitia Peake and soon after they met they became outlaws. These two were definitely not boring or law abiding. The Captain and Elitia's emotions are easy to read in both the writing and art. Their adventure is one of sorrow and a broken heart. Marinda learns a lot about her mother here and most all of it shows she was not a good mother. Did she deserve her fate well yes. All the characters are well illustrated as they go about their lives. 
  "Chapter IV: The Bookseller's Tale" The bookseller does have a wonderful tale to tell. She is a romantic and waits for her husband's return. The sci-fi aspect stands out here and the story is well told. 
   "Chapter V: The Percussor's Tale" All is for the best is a saying used throughout this book. The Percussor pursued his passion of music. His love of music is strong. His clockwork creation is a marvel. It is wonderful to pursue one's dreams even if it does not work out as you hope.
  "Chapter VI: The Strong Man's Tale" We see the making of a strong man. One strong man learns from another. We see a relationship form of friendship and respect. The art compliments the stories so well. 
  "Chapter VII: The Fortune Teller's Tale" The Fortune Teller has a lot more to her than you might expect. She lead a sheltered life until she was let go and started to live her life more than before. You will feel pity for her though. At least she did have some happiness in her life. 
  "Chapter VIII: The Sea Captain's Tale" A Captain keeps seeing the Angels of the Sea and they had wanted him. Miranda is finding her forced journey starting to be to her liking. Plus a part of another tale finds its end here which shows love is worth fighting for. 
  "Chapter IV: The Pickpocket's Tale" Here a young boy gives Miranda his story. He is a thief living on the streets one who finds more than he can handle at one house. The art looks so great throughout this book. It transports you into the world of the Clockmaker. 
   "Chapter X: The Seeker's Tale" The explorer Cabeza is a Seeker yet he does not wish to find what he seeks. He enjoys the searching and telling about it and does not wish for that to end. Yet he embellishes his tales to much. Miranda's book puts a stop to that. 
  Chapter XI: The Alchemy Miner's Tale" Anrika is one determined girl. She is the one who draws Miranda into her adventure which is the start of Miranda not just reading about stories but starting to live stories. Miranda joins in the adventure. 
  "Chapter XII: The Fisherman's Tale" This Fisherman had a sad tale to tell but perhaps it gets better. Marinda is taking more of an interest in the things about her. 
  "Chapter XIII: The Wrecker's Tale" A Wrecker is like as pirate and here one Wrecker learns to survive among the others. He learns to love and than his life becomes sorrowful. His life was not what he wanted but he lived it. Marinda takes his story to add to her book. 
  Than she adds her own to finish the book. Marinda has started her adventures and she has many more to come. 
  This is a huge book filled with so much imagination and it will fuel yours. You will love being immersed in the adventures within which will inspire you to create your own. 

Richard Vasseur