My thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for an advance copy of this graphic novel made up of sense and color, that tells a story that crossing time, space, musical catalogs, people who might have been, and events that never were.

Over the years I have thought a lot about why I enjoy comics and graphic novels. Probably the same reason I love music, love movies, love books, feel something deep in my heart when I see something being created, and feel a pain in my soul when I see people be stupid and hurtful. My emotions tie into what I take from art. A good song can lift my day, a bad song while stuck shopping for milk can drive me insane. Same for graphic novels. A good one can give me a brain hit that makes a day better, makes me want to push it on people, and share in the glory of all that is good. And this one was good in so many different ways. Spectrum is written by Rick Quinn, with illustrations by Dave Chisholm and tells a story of singers, song, noise, the future, all we create and all we destroy, with beautiful artwork to accompany it.

Melody Parker is sure about nothing and even that she isn't to sure about. Melody is living on the streets of Seattle during the WTO riots, a scene that is getting slightly weird. Melody has memories of being in an orphanage, but at the same time is sure that her father was recording her with others for something, she knows not what. Melody is attacked by what look like riot police, but turn out to be foot soldiers for a creature known as Echo. Echo is an elemental, able to change time and space, and wants to end everything every where. Echo wants Melody to join her on this quest, but Melody escapes to elsewhere. Ada Latimer owns a record shop, has a boyfriend and mourns a father who disappeared on her. Ada's father was addicted to finding the sound the perfect sound, and has been missing for a long time. Melody comes to Ada and soon both are on the run, in a landscape where bands are playing different tunes, heroes are brought low, and nothing is real. Except the end.

This is a hard book to summerize, but an easy book to recommend. It is sort of like explaining the music of Charles Mingus to people, or the band Haim to people who stopped listening to music that was after1991. Like all art, one takes what they get from it, as it is all subjective. I loved this. A mix of music, theory, bands, history, alternate history, conspiracy, adult writing, and fantastic artwork. I can't imagine the time and effort it took to write this, and it shows. The story is crazy, but easy to follow. There are bits of changed history, allusions to other people and events. And a lot of great writing. The art is really very good. I have been a fan of Dave Chisholm other works but this one really blew me away. The art is so perfect, so fitting and so necessary to the story. I can't imagine one without the other.

I would love to see an annotated version of this comic one day, that's how cool and crazy some of the stuff is. I will admit I read it twice and came away with even more ideas and puzzles. I really wonderful graphic novel. For music fans, especially music nerds, people who love great art in comics, and anyone who loves a story that tells more than a story, put paints a musical mural. I can't wait to read whatever these two have planned next.

It's surreal and visually striking. Also more than a little weird. Despite not being fully sure what's going on, I enjoyed the ride.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

This review is for the collected volume of issues 1-6 that doesn't appear to be on goodreads yet.

WOW.

Just...wow!

This is one of the most uniquely exquisite graphic novels I've ever had the privilege of reading!

I'm literally left dry-mouthed and wet-eyed in awe and from being so powerfully moved by this beautiful work of art.

Spectrum is the story of two women in difficult situations who find themselves drawn into a musical odyssey across the 20th century to save all creation from destruction...

This is a surreal ode to the love of music and art, and how close to madness artists come in their pursuit of their art and the constraints and difficulties of being an artist in our capitalist, increasingly fascist societies.

The writing is riveting and plays with the comic book script and lettering, as well as music and poetry. The artwork and composition is mind-bending in its form and beauty.

I am absolutely rocked by how much this graphic novel consumed, moved, and blew me away.

This is without a doubt one of the greatest comics I've ever read and I absolutely need to read anything and everything these two have worked on!