For the past few years, the multiverse has been a hot-button topic, one that comics and films are no stranger to. Perhaps the most successful multiverse film is none other than one ofthe best A24 films,Everything Everywhere All At Once. Fans of this Oscar-winning film have a lot of comics they can turn to for their multiverse fix, but instead of superheroes, they need to pick up the tragic romance –Boleroby Wyatt Kennedy and Luana Vecchio.
Of course, comics have no shortage of multiverse stories, especially when it comes to heroes. Marvel and DC Comics have explored the multiverse on numerous occasions in print, andthe Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently tackling the Multiverse Saga. However,for a comic that feels more like an A24 movie – one that successfully uses the multiverse more so as a metaphor for regret and relationships –Bolerois the way to go.
What is Image Comics' Bolero?
Bolero Is A Break-Up From Image Comics That Spans The Multiverse
Bolerois a five-issue series from Image Comics written by Wyatt Kennedy (Nights) and art by Luana Vecchio (Lovesick). Starring Devyn, a heart-broken artist,Bolerois about second chances and what could have been, as Devyn is given a key to hop from one dimension to another; however, there are only 53 universes, she can never return to a past universe, and she can’t hop more than 53 times. With these key rules in place,Bolerois more than what could have been.It is a comic that illustrates the down-sides of a “grass is always greener” mentality.
If Devyn learns her next universe is worse than the last, it is not like she can just go back. She can only move forward. Along with that, Devyn could find a nice universe to settle down in, but the curiosity of what lies beyond is always calling for her. The desire to keep searching for the next best thing remains, but what lies beyond that door may not satisfy Devyn’s yearnings. In fact, it could cost her everything. With strong world-building, a flawed yet relatable protagonist, and art that can be gorgeous one moment and grotesque the next,Boleroisthe best multiversecomic, one that should not be overshadowed by the likes of more mainstream superhero crossovers.
Like Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Multiverse Is A Metaphor
The Best Multiverses Are Much Deeper Than A Marvel Or DC Crossover Event
WhyBoleroworks so well, if not better than other multiverse comics, is the same reason whyEverything Everywhere All At Onceis such a successthat resonates with countless viewers. In both stories, the multiverses dare to be weird and push boundaries, but that is not enough to carry a successful story. BothBoleroandEverything Everywhere All At Onceuse the multiverse to explore the themes and metaphorsat the heart of their respective stories.
A multiverse is about limitless possibilities, and inBolero’scase, it’s those possibilities that highlight some of Devyn’s biggest flaws. Even without her magic key, Devyn is a deeply unsatisfied individual, one who lingers on what’s gone wrong in the past, so much so that it prevents her from moving on. Along with that, when she seemingly gets a chance at happiness, she will risk it all for the possibility of something better – even if there is no guarantee or if it is just temporary.This is a massive flaw of Devyn’s, but it is also one of the reasons why she is so relatable, as is this story, despite the fantastical setting.
Meanwhile,Everything Everywhere All At Oncesees a mother, Evelyn, who sees all of what she could have been in other lives. However,she realizes that she is happiest in the life she has with her husband and daughter, despite initially being told that her prime life is the most ordinary. Like Devyn, what could have been is in front of her, but she still loves the life she’s currently living, even when it is far from perfect.
Both Evelyn and Devyn do what so many others have done before – wonder about what could have been – but through the multiverse, they are given the opportunity to actually explore these possibilities. In doing so, they both get a greater appreciation for the lives they live.Everything Everywhere All At OnceandBoleroare a perfect pairing together, as these are stories that embrace the impossible but still feel incredibly grounded and relatable, standing out in a sea of other multiverse stories.
