The Example

by Tom Taylor, Wolfgang Bylsma (Editor), Colin Wilson (Illustrator)

Two people. A train station. An unattended Briefcase.
Prejudice versus Preservation.
In the war on terror, will suspicion and fear win out?

"Like Watchmen, it uses a simple 9 panel grid on almost every page, but you won't even notice. I mean, this is just two people talking at an empty suburban space, yet you'll be lost in the world it creates."
- Comic Book Jesus

"Brief Cases, late trains, and small talk add up to what is probably the best comic of the year!" "Taylor and Wilson collaborate to create one of the most tension filled comics I have ever read."
- The Outhouse.com

"This book should be used in writing classes everywhere, and should be the primary example (no pun intended) for aspiring comic writers to reference when trying to learn how to write dramatic and compelling dialogue."
- Newsarama

"...as effing good as the accolades suggest."
- Broken Frontier

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

20 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2009

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Oliver Hodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short comic with a simple set up. Two strangers are at a train station when they notice a brief case left behind. The story hits surprisingly deep territory, from the possible decline of 'decency' or at least common social mores (what do we do about the briefcase is not a simple 'give it to the lost property man') to terrorism, to current day human interaction.

What surprised me is how 'Melbourne' this story is despite only having a few geographical clues, but at the same time there is a parable like quality to the story. Great, great story.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts with a briefcase is left on a train platform.

Actually, no. It starts with a train being late. Somebody leaves, and the briefcase is left on the train platform.

And then the delicious drama starts. Was it a terrorist? Was it just an absent minded commuter? Were they white?

It's only eleven pages, the play itself being only ten minutes, but ah, the anxiety of the 21st century.

And really, was it only just a briefcase?

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adapted from a short play, and it reads like it (not a criticism, really).

Interesting, strangely tense. Almost European realistic art.

[Devin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a good while, it feels like an overindulgent Seinfeldian dialogue about nothing, but it does evolve into something more substantial about media, paranoia, and "common sense" (whatever that means).

And oh boy was I unsurprised to learn it was first a play. It reads very, very theatrically.

Either way, Tom Taylor fans should absolutely seek this out. His afterword is a really cool snapshot of his perspective at the beginning of his career in comics.