Truth Amidst The Stars

You light up my life.  These words, meant to be sweet, also suggest a sad state of self surrender.  Because since energy isn’t created or destroyed, if you have to wait for a star shining in the sky to start, you can lose a whole day.  And unfortunately not everyone can afford to take one off.  So when life comes at Mariko fast in the form of some unfortunate news the young woman will have to make some choices that will change her life’s trajectory.  Mad Cave Studios takes readers aboard the discovery as Mariko Between Worlds boldly goes.  

Mariko Between Worlds

Mad Cave Studios

Writer: Matthew Erman
Artist: Liana Kangas
Color Artist: Rebecca Nalty
Letterer: Micah Myers

Mariko Between Worlds begins with something nobody, heavenly or terrestial wants – a rejection.  As Mariko ends her shift as a Games Plane waitress she informs the audience on her failed space mission.  For over five years she has been awaiting news on a love she feltr was written in the stars. Now, Mariko has an official document  stating The Government has denied her K1000 visa application.  So where does that leave her relationship with her boyfriend Rem who, now that you mention, is the only reason she was applying for the visa in the first place.  Now, with Rem heading off to a new job on The Moon of Plenty, is this relationship over? 

That’s Mariko’s first impulse as she approaches her potential ex.  Rem, unlike Mariko, isn’t as broken up about the possibility of breaking up with his longtime babe.  Mariko excuses his attitude, believing it is merely because Rem’s species biology causes them to always see the bright side of things.  But could that also be what is wrong with their relationshiip?  Even when he is simply crucifying a country song’s lyrics, Rem can’t seem to understand the true meaning of his words.  Or even his actions.  So while Mariko agrees to go along with Rem and enjoy the day, she may need to look into alternative means of transportation depending on how it goes.  They are allowing Jesus to steal their cars after all.  

In reality what Rem and the creators behind Mariko Between Worlds are saying is let’s go to the mall today.  Anyone who’s ever done this has to admit while it is aimless, it also offers an opportunity to have fun. And you may even find something.  Simply an invitation to mill around with no pressure to buy anything.  Remember you’re just looking.  And the things you will see.  Artist Rebecca Nalty shows no supply shortages when using colors to convey some of the mind bending experiences that occur as the couple engages in what turns out to be some retail therapy.  Micah Myers lettering ensures that even the most psychedelic transmissions conveying the space between this couple come through clear.     

The proper place to put a title like Mariko Between Worlds would be at the intersection where romantic comedies and sci-fantasical, dimensional, self actualiztion fiction meet.  Both the humor and situations this book uses are a model of the varying ways this (or any) young couple see each other, and themselves.  It begins from the moment Mariko accidentally blurts out that they have to break up.  Just looking at the two you have to wonder how they are even compatible – star signs or otherwise.  While Mariko at least appears human Rem, with blue scruffy fur and green hair, is no doubt from out of this world.  Actually the majority of the cast of Mariko Between Worlds are from other worlds or even dimensional realitites.  All converging in the one place known to have it all.  

The specific destination for the couple’s day getaway is known as The Mall of Portals.  Matthew Erman the writer of Marko Between Worlds tubular shopping experience pays to pall mall, the game where the mall gets it’s name. Similar to the scoring structures from the 17th century game this mall’s visitors use portals to access the various sections. No more slow mall walkers. A rift will take you from Rem’s job at Way Out There Records to the Food Court in no time flat.  

While Mariko Between Worlds contains locations similar to our own brick and mortar, this mall won’t be closing anytime soon.  There isn’t quite anything online like the Mall of Portals – it goes beyond simply baths and beds.  Artist Liana Kangas delivers storefronts and subjects that are so unusual yet they actually have specific symbolisms to the story..

This happens at the second stop of the day, as Rem again forgets to introduce Mariko. Chilling after his set, his boy Thurben Turbo, the MC whose head is an AC , cools down an argument. It seems after years of squabbling Turbo learned how to talk to his love, a telepathic refrigerator.  It is through Kangas unusual assortment of characters that the gravity of Erman’s script is noticeable.  We begin to see how her life with Rem has weighed Mariko down. Denying her both a sense of individuality and a chance to explore her own destiny.

This graphic novel Mariko Between Worlds creative team explores an analogy of a familiar place – external and internal. While offering this young couple on a trippy relationship revelation.  Readers may not fully realize this until they arrive at the day’s final shopping destination – Le Petite Neant.  The little void, something and nothing all at once.  Like an empty store front, or a dead planet, it is merely waiting for a purpose. This moment is a metaphor for what Mariko has given and given up on to remain with Rem.   

On what could be the couple’s last day Mariko realizes she be something she only felt Rem could provide.    

The light of the world. 

Score: 8.4