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SPECTRUM
Spectrum
Melody Parker is losing her mind. She’s living on the streets of Seattle during the WTO protests of 1999. She is seeing things. Androids. Aliens. Pigs in high fashion. And a creature named Echo—one of the elemental beings with the power to alter reality through music. She invites Melody to join her as she brings about the end of the world. As Melody tries to escape this strange woman, suppressed memories from across vast spans of time flood into her awareness, bringing her very identity into question. You don’t want to miss this stunning new release from writer Rick Quinn and music-comic-specialist Dave Chisholm (Miles Davis & the Search for the Sound).
- GenresGraphic NovelsComics
152 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2025
1 person is currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 10, 2025
A comic that wildly vascillates between trying too hard, and being genuinely interesting. A comic about the importance of music in our lives. At times it feels a bit as if the author is trying to show off, and parts feel overwritten and overly wordy. Funnily enough, the main bad is horrendously underwritten and underwhelming.
The art is quite trippy, and is taking chances, which I appreciate.
Overall, kudos to Mad Cave Studios for taking a chance on this ambitious if flawed book.
(Thanks to Mad Cave Studios for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
The art is quite trippy, and is taking chances, which I appreciate.
Overall, kudos to Mad Cave Studios for taking a chance on this ambitious if flawed book.
(Thanks to Mad Cave Studios for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
November 30, 2024
Another comic about music, I love it!
I listened to Hall & Oates Rock n Soul Part 1.
I listened to Hall & Oates Rock n Soul Part 1.
November 25, 2024
This is a mesmerizing first issue, exploring the idea of some unified theory of the universe hidden in pop music. The art is gorgeous and the writing is poetic.
May 6, 2025
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
This review is for the collected volume of issues 1-6 that doesn't appear to be on goodreads yet.
WOW.
Just...wow!
This is one of the most uniquely exquisite graphic novels I've ever had the privilege of reading!
I'm literally left dry-mouthed and wet-eyed in awe and from being so powerfully moved by this beautiful work of art.
Spectrum is the story of two women in difficult situations who find themselves drawn into a musical odyssey across the 20th century to save all creation from destruction...
This is a surreal ode to the love of music and art, and how close to madness artists come in their pursuit of their art and the constraints and difficulties of being an artist in our capitalist, increasingly fascist societies.
The writing is riveting and plays with the comic book script and lettering, as well as music and poetry. The artwork and composition is mind-bending in its form and beauty.
I am absolutely rocked by how much this graphic novel consumed, moved, and blew me away.
This is without a doubt one of the greatest comics I've ever read and I absolutely need to read anything and everything these two have worked on!
This review is for the collected volume of issues 1-6 that doesn't appear to be on goodreads yet.
WOW.
Just...wow!
This is one of the most uniquely exquisite graphic novels I've ever had the privilege of reading!
I'm literally left dry-mouthed and wet-eyed in awe and from being so powerfully moved by this beautiful work of art.
Spectrum is the story of two women in difficult situations who find themselves drawn into a musical odyssey across the 20th century to save all creation from destruction...
This is a surreal ode to the love of music and art, and how close to madness artists come in their pursuit of their art and the constraints and difficulties of being an artist in our capitalist, increasingly fascist societies.
The writing is riveting and plays with the comic book script and lettering, as well as music and poetry. The artwork and composition is mind-bending in its form and beauty.
I am absolutely rocked by how much this graphic novel consumed, moved, and blew me away.
This is without a doubt one of the greatest comics I've ever read and I absolutely need to read anything and everything these two have worked on!
June 24, 2025
Definitely a super intriguing and ambitious narrative that allows music to become a breathable life force. The entire idea interprets the immense power of music in such a visceral way, allowing you to feel the stark impacts its power has on the main characters. The art style is unique and the coloring choices allow for even more nuance to be conveyed. The narrative does seem to get ahead of itself at many points, however. It's understandable that there'd be jumping around in time given the time traveling aspect of the story, but it does get frustratingly confusing at times.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the arc!
Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the arc!
June 10, 2025
“It wasn’t what I saw. It was how I felt. The joy of creation. The need to take the chaos around you and mold it into something you can understand.”
Spectrum was a crazy comic, in all possible ways. The artwork is colorful and explosive, immersing the reader in this story in which Synesthesia reigns, in which madness and creativity collide to disorient us as much as possible. Just like the MCs, we dive into the waves, let ourselves be carried by this universe that makes ourselves lose our minds. This is a magical and intense experience that is pretty faithful to how some people experience synesthesia (even though I have another experience), as much as how creative process can be perceived by some.
I had a great time!
Thank you to the authors and MadCave for the eARC sent via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5
Spectrum was a crazy comic, in all possible ways. The artwork is colorful and explosive, immersing the reader in this story in which Synesthesia reigns, in which madness and creativity collide to disorient us as much as possible. Just like the MCs, we dive into the waves, let ourselves be carried by this universe that makes ourselves lose our minds. This is a magical and intense experience that is pretty faithful to how some people experience synesthesia (even though I have another experience), as much as how creative process can be perceived by some.
I had a great time!
Thank you to the authors and MadCave for the eARC sent via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5
November 25, 2024
Wonderful imaginations at work here in this mirror universe, though I do wish the references to our-world musicians and other personalities weren't quite so veiled. I picked up on MLK and Elvis, but I'm left guessing at a couple others, and the rest are opaque.
Still, it's pretty great. But readers with fairly deep knowledge of history are certain to enjoy it even more than I did. Might footnotes be in order, Messrs Emmett (ed), Quinn (w) and Chisolm (a)?
Still, it's pretty great. But readers with fairly deep knowledge of history are certain to enjoy it even more than I did. Might footnotes be in order, Messrs Emmett (ed), Quinn (w) and Chisolm (a)?
May 12, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for an advance copy of this graphic novel made up of sense and color, that tells a story that crossing time, space, musical catalogs, people who might have been, and events that never were.
Over the years I have thought a lot about why I enjoy comics and graphic novels. Probably the same reason I love music, love movies, love books, feel something deep in my heart when I see something being created, and feel a pain in my soul when I see people be stupid and hurtful. My emotions tie into what I take from art. A good song can lift my day, a bad song while stuck shopping for milk can drive me insane. Same for graphic novels. A good one can give me a brain hit that makes a day better, makes me want to push it on people, and share in the glory of all that is good. And this one was good in so many different ways. Spectrum is written by Rick Quinn, with illustrations by Dave Chisholm and tells a story of singers, song, noise, the future, all we create and all we destroy, with beautiful artwork to accompany it.
Melody Parker is sure about nothing and even that she isn't to sure about. Melody is living on the streets of Seattle during the WTO riots, a scene that is getting slightly weird. Melody has memories of being in an orphanage, but at the same time is sure that her father was recording her with others for something, she knows not what. Melody is attacked by what look like riot police, but turn out to be foot soldiers for a creature known as Echo. Echo is an elemental, able to change time and space, and wants to end everything every where. Echo wants Melody to join her on this quest, but Melody escapes to elsewhere. Ada Latimer owns a record shop, has a boyfriend and mourns a father who disappeared on her. Ada's father was addicted to finding the sound the perfect sound, and has been missing for a long time. Melody comes to Ada and soon both are on the run, in a landscape where bands are playing different tunes, heroes are brought low, and nothing is real. Except the end.
This is a hard book to summerize, but an easy book to recommend. It is sort of like explaining the music of Charles Mingus to people, or the band Haim to people who stopped listening to music that was after1991. Like all art, one takes what they get from it, as it is all subjective. I loved this. A mix of music, theory, bands, history, alternate history, conspiracy, adult writing, and fantastic artwork. I can't imagine the time and effort it took to write this, and it shows. The story is crazy, but easy to follow. There are bits of changed history, allusions to other people and events. And a lot of great writing. The art is really very good. I have been a fan of Dave Chisholm other works but this one really blew me away. The art is so perfect, so fitting and so necessary to the story. I can't imagine one without the other.
I would love to see an annotated version of this comic one day, that's how cool and crazy some of the stuff is. I will admit I read it twice and came away with even more ideas and puzzles. I really wonderful graphic novel. For music fans, especially music nerds, people who love great art in comics, and anyone who loves a story that tells more than a story, put paints a musical mural. I can't wait to read whatever these two have planned next.
Over the years I have thought a lot about why I enjoy comics and graphic novels. Probably the same reason I love music, love movies, love books, feel something deep in my heart when I see something being created, and feel a pain in my soul when I see people be stupid and hurtful. My emotions tie into what I take from art. A good song can lift my day, a bad song while stuck shopping for milk can drive me insane. Same for graphic novels. A good one can give me a brain hit that makes a day better, makes me want to push it on people, and share in the glory of all that is good. And this one was good in so many different ways. Spectrum is written by Rick Quinn, with illustrations by Dave Chisholm and tells a story of singers, song, noise, the future, all we create and all we destroy, with beautiful artwork to accompany it.
Melody Parker is sure about nothing and even that she isn't to sure about. Melody is living on the streets of Seattle during the WTO riots, a scene that is getting slightly weird. Melody has memories of being in an orphanage, but at the same time is sure that her father was recording her with others for something, she knows not what. Melody is attacked by what look like riot police, but turn out to be foot soldiers for a creature known as Echo. Echo is an elemental, able to change time and space, and wants to end everything every where. Echo wants Melody to join her on this quest, but Melody escapes to elsewhere. Ada Latimer owns a record shop, has a boyfriend and mourns a father who disappeared on her. Ada's father was addicted to finding the sound the perfect sound, and has been missing for a long time. Melody comes to Ada and soon both are on the run, in a landscape where bands are playing different tunes, heroes are brought low, and nothing is real. Except the end.
This is a hard book to summerize, but an easy book to recommend. It is sort of like explaining the music of Charles Mingus to people, or the band Haim to people who stopped listening to music that was after1991. Like all art, one takes what they get from it, as it is all subjective. I loved this. A mix of music, theory, bands, history, alternate history, conspiracy, adult writing, and fantastic artwork. I can't imagine the time and effort it took to write this, and it shows. The story is crazy, but easy to follow. There are bits of changed history, allusions to other people and events. And a lot of great writing. The art is really very good. I have been a fan of Dave Chisholm other works but this one really blew me away. The art is so perfect, so fitting and so necessary to the story. I can't imagine one without the other.
I would love to see an annotated version of this comic one day, that's how cool and crazy some of the stuff is. I will admit I read it twice and came away with even more ideas and puzzles. I really wonderful graphic novel. For music fans, especially music nerds, people who love great art in comics, and anyone who loves a story that tells more than a story, put paints a musical mural. I can't wait to read whatever these two have planned next.
August 19, 2025
At times too text heavy, I see the author is at work on his debut novel. Seems Rick Quinn has explored a variety of creative careers, not sure if he's a time traveler himself, but he may have dabbled.
Artists who struggle with the world, and with themselves. Musicians being married to their art which can be its own dominant world, less time traveling than time unraveling - these themes ring familiar I suspect for many artists.
Also ringing familiar here the song quotes and artist extensions; let me just say that Quinn is likely closer to my age than my sons, but sharing the glory/story of Joni Mitchell, Patti Smith, CBGB's is worth bridging decades. Is that a orgone/rainmaker a reference to a Kate Bush song/video?
Anyways, the story succumbs to the comic pull for a galactic apocalyptic battle, but it is the artwork from Dave Chisolm that makes the case best for creativity as guiding/saving force. Many pages explore with creativity that reverberate more strongly than characters named Melody and Echo and so forth. Variety of styles/tones and arranging pages - ch-ch-changes serve this collection well.
For what it's worth I got this for my son on the occasion of his recent bday (his brother also got him a comic, "The Pedestrian" - with both of us trying to come up with something neither the gifted giftee nor we grifting gifters have read.
And as an important side story, we were both trying to support independent comic presses.
Along those lines happy to see that Mad Cave is licensed to offer Gatchaman, which is one I know the gift-receiving son has loved in the past. Long may that Studio, my son and psychedelic overlooked artists survive and thrive!
Artists who struggle with the world, and with themselves. Musicians being married to their art which can be its own dominant world, less time traveling than time unraveling - these themes ring familiar I suspect for many artists.
Also ringing familiar here the song quotes and artist extensions; let me just say that Quinn is likely closer to my age than my sons, but sharing the glory/story of Joni Mitchell, Patti Smith, CBGB's is worth bridging decades. Is that a orgone/rainmaker a reference to a Kate Bush song/video?
Anyways, the story succumbs to the comic pull for a galactic apocalyptic battle, but it is the artwork from Dave Chisolm that makes the case best for creativity as guiding/saving force. Many pages explore with creativity that reverberate more strongly than characters named Melody and Echo and so forth. Variety of styles/tones and arranging pages - ch-ch-changes serve this collection well.
For what it's worth I got this for my son on the occasion of his recent bday (his brother also got him a comic, "The Pedestrian" - with both of us trying to come up with something neither the gifted giftee nor we grifting gifters have read.
And as an important side story, we were both trying to support independent comic presses.
Along those lines happy to see that Mad Cave is licensed to offer Gatchaman, which is one I know the gift-receiving son has loved in the past. Long may that Studio, my son and psychedelic overlooked artists survive and thrive!
July 15, 2025
Thanks NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this arc
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Unfortunately I agree with the general consensus of readers here where this was a really interesting concept with beautiful illustrations that got lost in the convoluted storyline. I powered through this, even though I wanted to dnf, and the ending was abrupt and confusing. The many pages that had just an intense amount of text for a graphic novel that, at least to me, ultimately went nowhere was really disappointing and really lost my interest in the story. It felt like, just when things were getting interesting for our main characters there would be an aside, a coda with unnecessary background info, and when we get back to the characters it was like the scene changed without always acknowledging the change, untimately making it hard to follow and a little boring. This was a unique idea with interesting art but the execution of it was just not there sadly.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Unfortunately I agree with the general consensus of readers here where this was a really interesting concept with beautiful illustrations that got lost in the convoluted storyline. I powered through this, even though I wanted to dnf, and the ending was abrupt and confusing. The many pages that had just an intense amount of text for a graphic novel that, at least to me, ultimately went nowhere was really disappointing and really lost my interest in the story. It felt like, just when things were getting interesting for our main characters there would be an aside, a coda with unnecessary background info, and when we get back to the characters it was like the scene changed without always acknowledging the change, untimately making it hard to follow and a little boring. This was a unique idea with interesting art but the execution of it was just not there sadly.
May 23, 2025
This is a beautifully rendered graphic novel. The artwork is vivid and colorful. I'll be honest and say, I'm just not sure I understood a lot here. Maybe it's the medium - using printed material to convey the magic of music - but I had a hard time following what was actually going on. Spectrum has the feel of a passion project, and while I did think it was beautiful and interesting, I can't say that I totally understood most of the story or why much of anything happened.
I would recommend this one to anyone with a strong understanding of music history and perhaps those who enjoy stories that delve into time travel/multiverses... or anyone who just wants to look at the lovely artwork honestly. It's well worth it just for that.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc!
I would recommend this one to anyone with a strong understanding of music history and perhaps those who enjoy stories that delve into time travel/multiverses... or anyone who just wants to look at the lovely artwork honestly. It's well worth it just for that.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc!
May 30, 2025
The book is beautiful, full of pages with expressive and amazing drawings. I think the style reflect the story well, and sometimes demonstrate the chaos.
In addition, it all shows a great understanding of music and an even greater passion, which is conveyed in millions of details throughout the book.
Despite all this, I had some difficulty following the story, because it develops right from the first page, and fluctuates from moments in the present to the past. But with this, it manages to talk about art and show its resilience, and how it speaks to us. I believe it is something on the line of surreal, that not all of us can always understand, but that we appreciate the story anyway.
A huge thank you for the ARC of the book to
the authors Rick Quinn and Dave Chisholm
the publisher Mad Cave Studios
and to Netgalley
In addition, it all shows a great understanding of music and an even greater passion, which is conveyed in millions of details throughout the book.
Despite all this, I had some difficulty following the story, because it develops right from the first page, and fluctuates from moments in the present to the past. But with this, it manages to talk about art and show its resilience, and how it speaks to us. I believe it is something on the line of surreal, that not all of us can always understand, but that we appreciate the story anyway.
A huge thank you for the ARC of the book to
the authors Rick Quinn and Dave Chisholm
the publisher Mad Cave Studios
and to Netgalley
May 16, 2025
*Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for early copy for review*
The art is fantastic in this comic. The bright colors and the mix between a cartoon and realistic arty style made the genre bending story come to life. The story itself throws the reader into the chaos of the world and it does not stop. This comic is a lot more wordy than a lot of modern graphic novels which is something I did not enjoy. I truly believe this media should limit it's words and tell the story more with the visual medium. The story takes turns that are unexpected, but not always enjoyable. In the end I just found this okay, but I am sure there are plenty of people who will love it.
2.5 rounded up for art
The art is fantastic in this comic. The bright colors and the mix between a cartoon and realistic arty style made the genre bending story come to life. The story itself throws the reader into the chaos of the world and it does not stop. This comic is a lot more wordy than a lot of modern graphic novels which is something I did not enjoy. I truly believe this media should limit it's words and tell the story more with the visual medium. The story takes turns that are unexpected, but not always enjoyable. In the end I just found this okay, but I am sure there are plenty of people who will love it.
2.5 rounded up for art
April 5, 2025
It's an alternative history story that values its temporal divergences on the significance of music. It honestly seems like something I would really appreciate, but I found my first read of #1 actually pretty confounding, I wasn't able to latch on quite the way I wanted to in order to decode what this book is saying...
That being said, I want to give it a re-read and see where this one goes. Kind of giving me RASL by Jeff Smith or Kabuki by David Mack vibes so far. It seems to have a creative vision that will reward effort. Every so often I like I challenge in what I read, Clarice Lispector is one of my favourite authors after all... Looks like Spectrum may present one such challenge.
That being said, I want to give it a re-read and see where this one goes. Kind of giving me RASL by Jeff Smith or Kabuki by David Mack vibes so far. It seems to have a creative vision that will reward effort. Every so often I like I challenge in what I read, Clarice Lispector is one of my favourite authors after all... Looks like Spectrum may present one such challenge.
May 29, 2025
Spectrum is an urban, gritty fantasy comic steeped in a superhero heritage, wrapped in a strong American music core, and illustrated in psychedelic lines.
I feel like I could have liked this comic more, but I found the narration a little too heavy and a slow read.
There are some interesting ideas that reminded me of the Sandman, Legion and Laila Star. But I didn't really adhere to the voice. It just felt like it took itself too seriously and was trying too hard to fit in an intellectual sphere. Which is often how I feel about the 3 comics I cited, so many will probably not mind at all and love it.
I feel like I could have liked this comic more, but I found the narration a little too heavy and a slow read.
There are some interesting ideas that reminded me of the Sandman, Legion and Laila Star. But I didn't really adhere to the voice. It just felt like it took itself too seriously and was trying too hard to fit in an intellectual sphere. Which is often how I feel about the 3 comics I cited, so many will probably not mind at all and love it.
July 5, 2025
This graphic novel just was NOT for me. The overall concept I was interested in, but the horribly clunky storytelling put me off. The characters themselves were interesting, but the way the plot is written hides that so much. This comic also did one of the big cardinal sins of comics. Where a lot of pages were just illustrations with paragraphs of text. I'm reading a comic, I don't want to read a literal wall of text. The art was gorgeous, and honestly why I'm giving this 3 stars instead of 2. Oddly, I think with a little smoothing of the plot, this could work as a television series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 26, 2025
I have no idea what I just read. About music, absolutely, but I didn't know the base idea with this graphic novel. Music dystopia-ish kind of theme? Based on real-life events or 100% made-up events? I still couldn't grasp what this book was talking about. Definitely need to continue reading the rest of the chapters.
I got the ARC for this series from NetGalley in one whole book. But Goodreads (and other book tracking apps) don't have the input for the book yet. Hence, I would review per chapter.
I got the ARC for this series from NetGalley in one whole book. But Goodreads (and other book tracking apps) don't have the input for the book yet. Hence, I would review per chapter.
December 29, 2024
This is a story about a fictional alternate universe where the lives of some musical stars took a different turn, and a butterfly effect of sorts took place, changing music and therefore the world as we know it. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what it's about. I'm sure a lot of the references went over my head, and it's definitely one of the most "out there" comics I've read, but it was a pretty neat journey to take, to be honest, so I think I'll stick with the title for now.
July 3, 2025
The artwork in this is phenomenal but the storytelling format was CLUNKY. I would get interested in the main plot and then it would flip on its head into an interlude which were fine, but jarred me out of the main story and then I struggled to get back into it. I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley but this was not a win for me.
July 28, 2025
Far too all-over-the-place for my tastes, this jumbles the life of some young woman who just intones a couple of words from a song for the bulk of the first chapter, and our own musical history, and failed to grab my interest at all. A generous one and a half stars.
August 31, 2025
It's so sad that such interesting ideas needed to be shortened in a market that can't allow characters and events to grom in a more nuanced pace. So far such big ideas and flasbacks related to music are amazing, and this first entry left me wanting to know more.
November 22, 2024
I honestly don't know what to make of this - awesome-to-Earth illustrations but its vision felt confusing (to me). However, I am quite invested - and will continue to get the upcoming issues!
November 23, 2024
Super intriguing!!! Beautiful art and written like a fairy tale or children's story. Very curious to see where this goes
July 30, 2025
Total package! Amazing and identifiable art and colors- a unique and surreal story. I loved every page and didn’t want it to end- YOU CAN HEAR THE MUSIC ON THE PAGE!
September 14, 2025
weird colorful graphic novel
August 18, 2025
Music is transcendental. It transcends time and space. It brings everyone and everything closer together. That is the best summarization I can give of this psychedelic rollercoaster.
#ThxNetGalley #RickQuinn #DaveChisholm #Spectrum
Merged review:
Music is transcendental. It transcends time and space. It brings everyone and everything closer together. That is the best summarization I can give of this psychedelic graphic novel.
#ThxNetGalley #RickQuinn #DaveChisholm #Spectrum
#ThxNetGalley #RickQuinn #DaveChisholm #Spectrum
Merged review:
Music is transcendental. It transcends time and space. It brings everyone and everything closer together. That is the best summarization I can give of this psychedelic graphic novel.
#ThxNetGalley #RickQuinn #DaveChisholm #Spectrum
June 23, 2025
I feel really frustrated to be leaving this review because this was such an interesting concept and the art was gorgeous, but this is a graphic novel that just isn’t embracing the format.
There's so much telling.
On the pages where the writing shows restraint and trusts the art, everything works so well, but the info dumps just didn’t stop.
Even as the climactic moments approached, there was more lore. I have no idea how this is the beginning of a series instead of a completed book, given the ending, but maybe the exposition will pay off in the next book? I just don’t trust it and I don’t feel like the creative team trusts me.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
There's so much telling.
On the pages where the writing shows restraint and trusts the art, everything works so well, but the info dumps just didn’t stop.
Even as the climactic moments approached, there was more lore. I have no idea how this is the beginning of a series instead of a completed book, given the ending, but maybe the exposition will pay off in the next book? I just don’t trust it and I don’t feel like the creative team trusts me.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews