Graphic Novel Review: 'Porcelain: Ivory Tower' by Benjamin Read & Chris Wildgoose

The 'Porcelain' trilogy by Benjamin Read and Chris Wildgoose and published by Improper Books, concludes with 'Ivory Tower'. Child, which began the series, later becoming Lady in the book 2, is now Mother, a revolutionary that will do whatever it takes to protect her children - both her two daughters, Tori and Ari and those in white Porcelain. But as her enemies close in on them, fearing her magical power over the the porcelain automatons, her measures of protection become ever more arrogant, believing that only she knows how to keep them all safe, exerting a stricter level of control which starts to fracture the family she has built within the tower she calls home.

The story by Benjamin Reed is tight and very tense. Once again, very much character driven. As such, the distinctive personalities of Mother and her daughters shine through, mostly clashing against one another, it also drives the narrative as Ari pushes back against Mother, wanting to escape the confines of the walls of the tower, and Tori becoming unsettlingly more and more like Mother over the course of the book. It made for a very engaging and compelling read to see this unfold. The tone of the three part series has also become a lot darker as the story progressed. It's been interesting to see the character development of Child as she's grown up from when we first see her as the likeable cocky street urchin who meets Uncle and discovering the secrets of the Porcelain. But the tragic events in book 2; 'Bone China', leads Mother to become more isolationist, afraid of what the outside world would do to her and her Children. This self imposed solitude chips away at her, changing her personality, often resulting in her having to make decisions that lack any rationality.

The art by Chris Wildgoose, with assists by André May and Alexa Rose, is once again superb, full of detail and bringing the world of Porcelain to vivid life, making it a joy to read. The art is definitely a highlight of the series.

The 'Porcelain' trilogy is a sad and bittersweet story about family, power, control and the repercussions of isolation. A tale of a child off the streets, making a chance discovery and growing up over the years. Blinded by the love for her Children and only wishing to keep them safe from harm, and sacrificing everything to keep them that way, which although she means well, in the end sadly backfires. It's a recommended read, not just this volume, but the whole trilogy.