Sunday November 8, 2009
Aliens arrive
By EZEL
THE ARRIVAL
Story and art: Bear
Publisher: Gala Unggul Resources; 208 pages
(ISBN: 978-9833882595)
For teens
IF you noticed, the United States has always been the preferred choice of landing or contact for extraterrestrial beings, be it in movies or books. Well, The Arrival offers a refreshing alternative – aliens have chosen to land their spacecraft in Malaysia!
Ace pilot Fathie is an irresponsible daredevil lieutenant from the Malaysian Air Force who will perform dangerous and crazy stunts on his plane just because he can. One day, he is told to investigate an unidentified flying object hovering over Malaysian airspace. Fathie discovers that the UFO is a massive and hostile crab-like spaceship. Dogfights and intense air battles ensue and somehow the occupant of the spacecraft escapes unseen in the confusion.
Meanwhile, a search party is trying to locate a mammoth meteorite which landed in the jungles of Kuantan. Resident scientist Dr Kelly discovers that this is not a normal piece of rock.
Just when you think that the Malaysian authorities have their hands full with alien life forms, they have to deal with the Americans who drop by to “lend” Malaysians an unwelcome hand.
The Arrival shows how Earthlings react to the landing of aliens. Simple, probably, but charmingly so. There are no deep philosophical ponderings, no complicated backstories and certainly not much of character development; The Arrival is just a straightforward tale about aliens, humans and the carnage that results from their encounter.
Bear’s art style is deceptively simple, but a second glance is all you need to realise the extent of his polished art skills. One may have to take time to get used to the unique way he draws people and certain objects, but his detailed art conveys just the kind of intensity the book needs.
If I were to describe this in movie terms, it would be mindless action flick. Shallow, perhaps, but once you delve into the action, is rather enjoyable.
(Rating: 3)
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