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The High Ways
"Humanity has not yet reached for the stars, but the Solar System is still a busy, exciting, and sometimes very dangerous place, as young Eddie Wallace is about to discover when he joins the crew of a freighter that hauls cargo along The High Ways! -
104 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2013
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,957 books360 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 5, 2020
Basically, John Byrne's take on The Expanse. It starts off about space truckers making intersolar runs but quickly evolves into more and more. And there's the rub, it's way too much story for 4 issues. Nothing is given time to breathe so there's these huge tonal and character shifts from one page to the next. The story feels like it has multiple personalities. If Byrne could have turned this into a 24 issue series or so, it would have been pretty great. At four issues, it's just OK.
June 15, 2013
The High Ways is one of comics legend John Byrne's latest books. Which he both writes and draws. Which is either good or bad depending on how much you like John Byrne I suppose.
There's no doubt that his impact on comics in the 70s, 80s and 90s was substantial. But his visibility has dropped significantly over the years although he has continued to work primarily at smaller publishers like IDW. To my mind this book shows both the good and bad points of Byrne's more recent work.
In terms of story telling clarity and just basic cartooning _The High Ways_ is hard to beat. It's easy to follow, there's no confusion about what's going on or who is who. The man undoubtedly knows his craft. The book looks like a John Byrne book in every way you might expect.
But that's also a problem because this book looks dated. The panel layouts, the vast numbers of word balloons, the character's clothing. It feels like something from the 80s or early 90s. And this is 2013.
That dated feel extends to the dialogue as well. Everything is explained. Everything. Part of it may be Byrne wanting to emphasize the details, risks and complexities of space flight, but it reminded me of a 1950s style sci-fi pulp novel.
The notion that even a rookie navigator would be so ill prepared for space that every single little thing would have to be explained to him in detail doesn't really stand up. And yet that's exactly what we are presented with.
The story begins as a "Welcome to space rookie!" adventure and then we start to get mysteries, twists and more twists. So it develops nicely and keeps you guessing effectively. But at the same time we get no depth to the characterization at all. We really don't feel for any of these characters even when they are betrayed. Because they're all a walking cliche. Grouchy captain who only cares about money; rookie; cynical veteran. There's even an evil scientist in the mix!
I didn't dislike the book. It's competently done. It just feels like something from another time.
There's no doubt that his impact on comics in the 70s, 80s and 90s was substantial. But his visibility has dropped significantly over the years although he has continued to work primarily at smaller publishers like IDW. To my mind this book shows both the good and bad points of Byrne's more recent work.
In terms of story telling clarity and just basic cartooning _The High Ways_ is hard to beat. It's easy to follow, there's no confusion about what's going on or who is who. The man undoubtedly knows his craft. The book looks like a John Byrne book in every way you might expect.
But that's also a problem because this book looks dated. The panel layouts, the vast numbers of word balloons, the character's clothing. It feels like something from the 80s or early 90s. And this is 2013.
That dated feel extends to the dialogue as well. Everything is explained. Everything. Part of it may be Byrne wanting to emphasize the details, risks and complexities of space flight, but it reminded me of a 1950s style sci-fi pulp novel.
The notion that even a rookie navigator would be so ill prepared for space that every single little thing would have to be explained to him in detail doesn't really stand up. And yet that's exactly what we are presented with.
The story begins as a "Welcome to space rookie!" adventure and then we start to get mysteries, twists and more twists. So it develops nicely and keeps you guessing effectively. But at the same time we get no depth to the characterization at all. We really don't feel for any of these characters even when they are betrayed. Because they're all a walking cliche. Grouchy captain who only cares about money; rookie; cynical veteran. There's even an evil scientist in the mix!
I didn't dislike the book. It's competently done. It just feels like something from another time.
August 3, 2013
Probably the most obvious reason to read this particular graphic novel is because of the author/artist, John Byrne. Byrne's name is nearly synonymous with comic books to anyone who spent much time with comics in the '70's and '80's. Seeing Byrne's name on a comic, particularly as artist, was usually a sign that it was a comic worth reading.
And now we jump forward thirty- forty years, and I discover that Byrne is still writing and drawing comics. Clearly a blessing to have a younger generation of comic/graphic novel readers discover one of the greats.
Except maybe not so great or such a blessing ... ?
The artwork is solid ... crisp, classic, and despite the detail Byrne puts in to his work, it never gets so muddy or so complex that you can't enjoy each panel. I personally found the artwork refreshing, but it might be seen as 'simple' or even comic-book-ish as it doesn't have the slick, glossy smoothness or gritty realism that much of today's books have. Again...I personally find this to be an asset to the work.
But the story is another matter. This book tries to tell too much story. So much, that it jumps about quickly and takes such unexpected turns that the reader has to simply accept the leaps because nothing is developed. When writing a storyline for an established series, the characters are pretty well developed and only deviant behavior needs to be explained. But in a one-shot series like this, where we don't know who the characters are, the change in behavior is annoying -- even if the change in behavior is the purpose of the story. When nearly all the major characters change as much as they seem to here, it only confuses the reader and muddles the story.
One character changes so drastically (I'm trying hard not to give too much away) that even the way the character is drawn changes, which only created disbelief to this reader. Disbelief that the character could have gotten away with the disguise in the first place.
There's nothing wrong with a grand scope ... trying to take on some powerful ideas ... but in doing so, Byrne left too many unanswered questions, and a wave of head-spinning twists that take some thinking.
Over-all, not bad. I'm glad I read it. It had a nostalgic feel (there is a bit of a Forbidden Planet feel to it). Anyone my age (50's) who knows comics would likely enjoy it. My graphic-novel-reading-kids? Maybe not so much.
And now we jump forward thirty- forty years, and I discover that Byrne is still writing and drawing comics. Clearly a blessing to have a younger generation of comic/graphic novel readers discover one of the greats.
Except maybe not so great or such a blessing ... ?
The artwork is solid ... crisp, classic, and despite the detail Byrne puts in to his work, it never gets so muddy or so complex that you can't enjoy each panel. I personally found the artwork refreshing, but it might be seen as 'simple' or even comic-book-ish as it doesn't have the slick, glossy smoothness or gritty realism that much of today's books have. Again...I personally find this to be an asset to the work.
But the story is another matter. This book tries to tell too much story. So much, that it jumps about quickly and takes such unexpected turns that the reader has to simply accept the leaps because nothing is developed. When writing a storyline for an established series, the characters are pretty well developed and only deviant behavior needs to be explained. But in a one-shot series like this, where we don't know who the characters are, the change in behavior is annoying -- even if the change in behavior is the purpose of the story. When nearly all the major characters change as much as they seem to here, it only confuses the reader and muddles the story.
One character changes so drastically (I'm trying hard not to give too much away) that even the way the character is drawn changes, which only created disbelief to this reader. Disbelief that the character could have gotten away with the disguise in the first place.
There's nothing wrong with a grand scope ... trying to take on some powerful ideas ... but in doing so, Byrne left too many unanswered questions, and a wave of head-spinning twists that take some thinking.
Over-all, not bad. I'm glad I read it. It had a nostalgic feel (there is a bit of a Forbidden Planet feel to it). Anyone my age (50's) who knows comics would likely enjoy it. My graphic-novel-reading-kids? Maybe not so much.
June 13, 2015
Unfortunately, John Byrne has done a better work in the science fiction genre with his Star Trek work for IDW than with this stand alone series. The concept is good, call it truckers in outer space, if you want, but instead on concentrating on the every day events that might have made this outstanding Byrne goes to his, IMO, comfort zone to complete the story.
The good includes the depiction of a low-G toilet. This is the type of small detail that grounded, near future science fiction can be very good at. Other small details includes a new crew member having to carry their own costs, and deep sleep to conserve resources on an eight month trip.
The failure comes when Byrne insists on shoving in a smuggling plot that has way too much going on with it. I frankly didn't care about this part of the story.
I really do think this could have been a very good story if he had stuck to the "space truckers" aspect of things. By going down the smugglers crime road we get a very standard tale with how the conclusion plays out.
The good includes the depiction of a low-G toilet. This is the type of small detail that grounded, near future science fiction can be very good at. Other small details includes a new crew member having to carry their own costs, and deep sleep to conserve resources on an eight month trip.
The failure comes when Byrne insists on shoving in a smuggling plot that has way too much going on with it. I frankly didn't care about this part of the story.
I really do think this could have been a very good story if he had stuck to the "space truckers" aspect of things. By going down the smugglers crime road we get a very standard tale with how the conclusion plays out.
June 10, 2013
For me, the best parts of James Cameron's Avatar were at the very beginning, with the focus on what it's like to live in a spaceship, in deep space, and just the basic acts of moving around, eating, etc. John Byrne's The High Ways starts out in a very similar vein, as a young navigator gets hired on to a cargo vessel headed for deep space. The story deals with him getting his first "hardsuit" and acclimating to an existence where he'll be in hibernation for weeks at a time, being occasionally awakened to pilot the ship on his own for a week or two, then back to the sleep pod. Just these little details make for a fascinating comic on their own, with great attention to detail in the artwork by Byrne. When the voyage proves to be anything but simple, the story expands to include smuggling, bioengineering, and a mad scientist who's on the run from past misdeeds. Yet the careful attention to detail and what it might be like to live in space for long stretches of time continue to be adhered to. Ultimately, the whole mystery aspect proves to be a bit disappointing, but the rest of this graphic novel is really outstanding. This would make for a great movie in the right hands. **ARC provided by NetGalley
July 28, 2013
Eddie Wallace, aka Sprout, has just signed on to the crew of the Carole Ann as their new navigator. He's taken under the wing of crew mate Marilyn Jones and works for feisty captain Cagney. His first trip out is supposed to be a routine trip to Mars, but captain Cagney has other plans and the crew ends up on a long range pick up on Europa. Once they arrive in Europa, they find that there is no cargo to pick up, and things are not as they seem.
John Byrne did the art and it's quite good, but perhaps a bit familiar by now. Captain Cagney reminds me a bit too much of Puck from the Alpha Flight comic, but it's nice to see a range of character types in a story like this. There are strange images and amazing space vistas.
The set up felt a bit like Forbidden Planet, and I felt like the set up worked better than the resolution for me. There are some surprises along the way, and I always like a good SF story, so I found it quite a lot of fun.
John Byrne did the art and it's quite good, but perhaps a bit familiar by now. Captain Cagney reminds me a bit too much of Puck from the Alpha Flight comic, but it's nice to see a range of character types in a story like this. There are strange images and amazing space vistas.
The set up felt a bit like Forbidden Planet, and I felt like the set up worked better than the resolution for me. There are some surprises along the way, and I always like a good SF story, so I found it quite a lot of fun.
August 8, 2013
***I was provided an ecopy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review***
This was a cool space story. It reminds me of a Star Trek: The Original Series episode. It has an older sci-fi feel to it, but is still progressive. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters.
This comic book doesn't have too much depth, but it is a very fun read. There are some great twists throughout the comic as well and I really liked how they played out.
I also really liked the artwork. If you are looking for a nice and fun sci-fi read. this is a great comic book for you. I give this graphic novel a 3.5/5.
This was a cool space story. It reminds me of a Star Trek: The Original Series episode. It has an older sci-fi feel to it, but is still progressive. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters.
This comic book doesn't have too much depth, but it is a very fun read. There are some great twists throughout the comic as well and I really liked how they played out.
I also really liked the artwork. If you are looking for a nice and fun sci-fi read. this is a great comic book for you. I give this graphic novel a 3.5/5.
February 25, 2022
John Byrne pode não ser a pessoa mais simpática do universo, e tem algumas opiniões bastante polêmicas, mas ele sabe desenvolver histórias em quadrinhos de aventura como ninguém. Esse quadrinho Operação High Ways, editada originalmente pela IDW e trazida ao Brasil pela Skript Editora, é um belo exemplo de como Byrne conhece ficção cinetífica e sabe cerzir boas narrativas. Acompanhamos um novato na exploração espacial se juntar ao que parecia ser uma mera missão de transporte, se enredar em experimentos científicos e uma conspiração para manipular os recuros existentes na vastidão espacial. Embora os desenhos de Byrne sejam os mesmos de quando ele estourou para o sucesso nos anos 1980, sua narrativa visual é extremamente eficiente, nos conduzindo para reviralvoltas interessantes em uma trama que parecia inofensiva. Completam a edição da Skript dois posfácios de especialistas em John Byrne no Brasil como o pessoal do canal Comics & More e do desenhista e professor Daniel HDR. Operação High Ways é uma história em quadrinhos que tem sabor daquela ótima nostalgia deliciosa.
November 18, 2023
John Byrne has been doing his finest work since the '80s with his creator owned titles over at IDW. He has done multiple Star Trek mini-series, revived Next Men, launched Cold War, Trio, and now The High Ways. Byrne is no stranger to outer space or science fiction, and this title combines that with the topsy-turvy nature of the Next Men.
This shifts gears so many times that you have to go back and flip through what you had already read to make sure it lines up. You almost need a scorecard to tell who is playing who, and why. I think that it all evens out in the end...or does it? Byrne's artwork has been great again these past few years, and I look forward to seeing what he does next: Doomsday.1.
This shifts gears so many times that you have to go back and flip through what you had already read to make sure it lines up. You almost need a scorecard to tell who is playing who, and why. I think that it all evens out in the end...or does it? Byrne's artwork has been great again these past few years, and I look forward to seeing what he does next: Doomsday.1.
January 19, 2019
Fun
John Byrne's art looks just as good as it did in Next Men. We are treated to a thriller that begins small and continues to build upon itself layer upon layer until we reach a satisfying conclusion. I loved reading this on my tablet and now I want to get all 4 of the original issues.
John Byrne's art looks just as good as it did in Next Men. We are treated to a thriller that begins small and continues to build upon itself layer upon layer until we reach a satisfying conclusion. I loved reading this on my tablet and now I want to get all 4 of the original issues.
August 10, 2022
Decepcionante, mesmo se comparado apenas com os outros trabalhos independentes de Byrne.
December 30, 2017
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This was an exceedingly satisfying read with a story full of plot complications, mystery, surprises, and character.
Neophyte spacer Eddie Wallace joins the down-and-out space tug crew of the Carole Ann as a navigator. He's green around the gills but eager to learn along with a cantankerous captain and a chaperoning mate.
But what starts as a somewhat routine run to an outpost ends up being far more than anyone on the ship bargained. Aliens, illegal acts, deception, and a LOT more going on make for a great story that keeps you turning pages.
The artwork is crisp, clean, and easy to follow. The characters are well drawn, interesting, and full of distinct quirks. The story starts out routine and then really starts spiraling in all directions, making for great, "I never saw that coming" moments.
The atmosphere is light and fun with some good jokes in there. I read this in one sitting and enjoyed myself the whole time. Highly recommended!
Received as an ARC from the publisher
July 9, 2013
John Byrne is one of my favourite all-time comics writers/artists dating back to my youth in Calgary in the 1970s.
I was even privileged to know Byrne then, thanks to his frequent visits to a downtown comic store called "Grandpa Takes A Trip comic Room."
Byrne, who was drawing X-Men with writing partner Chris Claremont, would regale us with tidbits about the mighty Marvel machine, dropping hints about upcoming books.
Great times, indeed.
Over the years, I've read tons of Byrne's stuff, especially his Star Trek work for IDW. He rarely disappoints.
Which brings me to his latest title The High Ways, a high-action adventure in the vein of Dan Dare according to Byrne. We meet Eddie Wallace, a rookie navigator aboard the freighter Carol Anne.
Wallace is so green he doesn't even have a deep space suit, so the ship's pilot Jonesy takes him under her wing.
It isn't long before Wallace, Jonesy and the rest of the crew are embroiled in a mystery involving genetic mutations, strange spacecraft and mercenaries.
Byrne is a gifted storyteller, and his art - especially in drawing technology - is breath-taking.
My only complaint is the story ended with some loose ends.
I hope he writes more Wallace adventures.
I was even privileged to know Byrne then, thanks to his frequent visits to a downtown comic store called "Grandpa Takes A Trip comic Room."
Byrne, who was drawing X-Men with writing partner Chris Claremont, would regale us with tidbits about the mighty Marvel machine, dropping hints about upcoming books.
Great times, indeed.
Over the years, I've read tons of Byrne's stuff, especially his Star Trek work for IDW. He rarely disappoints.
Which brings me to his latest title The High Ways, a high-action adventure in the vein of Dan Dare according to Byrne. We meet Eddie Wallace, a rookie navigator aboard the freighter Carol Anne.
Wallace is so green he doesn't even have a deep space suit, so the ship's pilot Jonesy takes him under her wing.
It isn't long before Wallace, Jonesy and the rest of the crew are embroiled in a mystery involving genetic mutations, strange spacecraft and mercenaries.
Byrne is a gifted storyteller, and his art - especially in drawing technology - is breath-taking.
My only complaint is the story ended with some loose ends.
I hope he writes more Wallace adventures.
April 25, 2013
I have been a Byrne Victim since his early days at Marvel. Byrne's run on the Fantastic Four still stands as the best run on that title since Kirby left and his work with Alpha Flight has never been topped. I have enjoyed his work at Dark Horse and even his stuff at DC got me to buy titles I probably never would have read otherwise. So I was quite happy to hear that he was going to do some work with IDW and I have not been disappointed.
The High Ways is classic sci-fi in the same vein as those wonderful old stories by Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein but with a more contemporary feel and sensebility. I would love to see Byrne continue with this type of story and even do with these "universe." It was very engaging and very entertaining. If you like good solid sci-fi with interesting and human characters, this something you will like. If, as I am, you are Byrne Victim you will LOVE The High Ways!
The High Ways is classic sci-fi in the same vein as those wonderful old stories by Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein but with a more contemporary feel and sensebility. I would love to see Byrne continue with this type of story and even do with these "universe." It was very engaging and very entertaining. If you like good solid sci-fi with interesting and human characters, this something you will like. If, as I am, you are Byrne Victim you will LOVE The High Ways!
June 1, 2014
Eddie Wallace takes a job as navigator of a space freighter and finds out that his first trip will be an eight month haul to Europa. When they finally arrive, it seems that someone has pulled a hoax on his captain and their contract was a joke - there is no delivery for them to pick up and take back to Earth. They refuel the ship and leave the research station only to find a stowaway in one of their cargo pods. Just as they are dealing with that, they get hijacked. It seems that the crew is going from bad to worse to even worse than that. This has bits that remind me of "Moonraker" and "Outlander." There are secret identities, scams, mysterious motives, double-crosses, ships, space stations, alien life forms...The action and intrigue is nonstop. It is definitely for mature audiences due to some of the language and sexual content.
If you like a spy thriller/action/space opera combo, then give this a try.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
If you like a spy thriller/action/space opera combo, then give this a try.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
April 18, 2015
This was a fun read, and I always enjoy seeing John Byrne's artwork. The story is set in what I find to be a very interesting milieu, a space-faring future, but one limited to the solar system, and without alien influences. The story has a lot of twists and turns, especially for a four-issue series. In fact, way too many things (and people) turn out to be something other than what the reader first suspects or is introduced to. This leaves the story feeling somewhat convoluted and condensed. Some of these changes are not well explained. I'm left with a feeling of wanting more. Not that I'd like a sequel to this story, just that this story itself would have been better served by being longer in the first place.
July 27, 2013
A fun read from John Byrne. I always enjoy his art and usually enjoy his writing, and here we get both. The basic plot of The High Ways has a distinct 1950s SF vibe to it, but with some more modern details. It reads pretty quick and unlike some of his work didn't have too many plot twists. Although, there did seem to be a fair number of unexplained plot points.
I fun way to spend an hour or so...
I fun way to spend an hour or so...
September 22, 2013
One of John Byrne's better stories in awhile. A so-so plot, but very well executed. Byrne doesn't treat the audience like idiots. There is no crazy exposition by characters or a narrator explaining everything that's happening. As a matter of fact, there is *no* narration, just words and dialogue. Nicely done.
November 2, 2019
Lots of great sci-fi concepts, but such a mess of a story.
Everyone is up to something and there's about a dozen ideas thrown at us.
It all feels like the set up for a bigger story or series, but that never happened.
Brilliant art and ideas, but by the end you are still confused and a bit exhausted.
Everyone is up to something and there's about a dozen ideas thrown at us.
It all feels like the set up for a bigger story or series, but that never happened.
Brilliant art and ideas, but by the end you are still confused and a bit exhausted.
September 6, 2013
Good pulpy space fun from a master of the form. It manages to be retro, but not dated. The twists were not predictacble and you get a bit of hard sci-fi without overshadowing the sense of adventure.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews