Jay wants nothing more than to fly the skies in perfect solitude and with perfect freedom. That is, until he crosses paths with a mysterious thief named Fix whose tricks and charms draw him into the struggle against the looming aviation guild to which Jay owes his very being. As Jay becomes further entangled in the turbulence of Fix’s cause, each man must learn to navigate shifting allegiances, the fight for freedom and the greatest adventure of all — love. Cartoonist A.C. Esguerra presents Eighty Days, published by BOOM Studios’ Archaia imprint.
Jay is a lone pilot, flying for the Avo group under his commander and friend, Sable. While he has the chance to fly a new type of plane, Fix Vulpes approaches him with a job that throws the three into the crosshairs of the capitalist Avo and accidently triggers a revolution.
Jay is a bit of a reserved intellect and fits the stereotype of his namesake, Corvidae. Picking up Vulpes, an undocumented kid, is risky, and Sable reminds him he’s better than that. But Jay doesn’t care, he just wants to fly. We’re introduced to Jay via his log book. His writing style is both sparse and intimate at the same time. He forms a bond with Vulpes as they travel, conversing by writing as the plane is too loud. Jay discovers Vulpes, like the stereotype of their namesake, is a thief. They forge documents, illegally cross borders and smuggle food to the needy back home. Smitten, Jay can’t help but permit it. I didn’t see how Sable fit into their story until we were right in it, but I wasn’t disappointed. Her character is strong and full of heart in ways I didn’t expect.
Plot points flow and ebb like the magnificent brutal inks laid down by cartoonist A.C. Esguerra. The characters’ emotions seep into the page not only in their delicately drawn facial expressions but the vibrant lettering. Panels are paced well, slowing down in moments of calm and tenderness and speeding by when things get tense with action.
Secondary characters are written with just as much care and depth as our three mains. I found myself drawn to the scraps of background stories we get in Maestro, Moulin or Vic. Equally important are the careful distinctions in architecture and culture depicted when Jay and Vulpes fly from place to place. Though the differences between Easterly, Southerly, Northerly and Westerly peoples is hard to eke out at first, but later their distinctions make sense. I longed for even more backstory on these separate cultures and how the rules vary from border to border. Similarly, I would have liked to know more about the class system that’s referenced but not expanded on between the No-Class like Vulpes and the classes within Avo.
Esguerra’s balance of heavy inks and intricate lines show a phenomenal skill. It’s rare to see a graphic novel written, lettered and drawn by the same person and not a single panel feels rushed or neglected. It’s clear that years of work and care went into this book, and it pays off in a way that shines through from start to finish.
Flying along with Jay, his journey, his resistance, his love and his friends is rewarding. I felt like I could take off with him. I’ve had a loose interest in flight since I first learned about Amelia Earhart, and this book lifted that interest right back up again. If you enjoy Full Metal Alchemist or The Legend of Korra, pick up Eighty Days. You won’t regret taking in the beautiful art and heart of A.C. Esguerra’s debut graphic novel.
Cat Purcell is a Career Services Librarian, cosplayer, artist, and massive coffee consumer.
