For Molly #3: Leap Of Faith

The third issue of For Molly leaves a big leg of the exposition of its intricate worldbuilding to the characters interactions and dialogues, shifting from multiple perspectives on this dog-human conflict to converge in how that conflict plays out into the main relationship: that of Greg and Molly. The road to both the emotional core and the main conflict at the end of the issue might seem confusing at times, and you might need to reread the setup this book plays a couple of times, but the payoff is nothing short of brilliant and breathtaking.

The relationship between Greg and Molly mirrors so well many of our interpersonal conflicts  and forging of relationships that  when the moment of sacrifice and closeness arrives for them, it feels earned, impacting and endlessly sweet. These characters hurt each other, come from places of unfairness, distrust and trauma, and learn to love and accept their friendship through this issue in an organic way. 

To be fair, every character on this issue seems like they have profound motives and baggage for their actions, to the point that I was extremely happy that a spin-off comic of the Robin Hood-like character and his dog (Schneider and Caprica) is on the works, called Into The Wilderness. But, in all lights, the central gravitas is how this book has created one of the most compelling and unlikely friendships in Greg and Molly, and author Gabe Cheng nails here the complexity and randomness of creating connection and care.

Sawyer’s art continues to excel at showcasing dogs’ emotional expression and the overall emotional landscape in a way that complements the story perfectly, and it has a vibrant and otherworldly use of coloring, rain, fire, explosions, lightning. When the most tender scenes arrive, the morning drills the whole page in the sun and visual happiness in a way that is marvelous. The low points are still the sometimes confusing fight scenes, but in this issue, the highs are too well done for it to matter. Plus, some parts of it, and specially from the splash page of Greg jumping to the river, the art gets a more focus on scenarios and facial expressions, having a resemblance of Charlie Adlard’s art style.