Bottom of the Ninth is an animated graphic novel that is so well done that it deserves a review and highlight regardless of what platform it’s currently on.  That platform right now is on iOS devices only.  So if you have an iPad or iPhone you’ll be treated to perhaps the single, greatest graphic novel/comic experience you’ll ever have. 

Created by Ryan Woodward, Bottom of the Ninth’s vision and artistry is simply amazing.  It truly is an experience that you have to witness for yourself in order to believe.  I’ve seen a lot of cool stuff during my time being involved with the gaming community.  I’ve seen great games, great art … I’ve read great comics, great stories.  But I can honestly tell you that I’ve never come across anything quite as unique as Bottom of the Ninth. 

The story centers around baseball and a young woman named Candy Cunningham.  In the year 2172, Tao City bleeds New Baseball, an artificial gravity enhanced version of the traditional sport.  Candy Cunningham, 18, finds herself facing a fierce batter and offended fans who have never seen a girl on the pitchers mound before.  I’ve never been a fan of baseball but Bottom of the Ninth was so well played that it made me forget that fact.  It’s a unique experience that words will never quite do justice to.  Me gushing about it won’t quite capture the feeling you get when glancing down at the pages on your iPad.

The audio is pitch perfect, the animation is superb and the content holds its weight.  The best part of Bottom of the Ninth is that it isn’t without substance.  It isn’t just a pretty wrapper with a bunch of fail inside.  It’s a pretty wrapper with a bunch of awesome sauce inside.  I think I spent about a 1/2 hour just toying around listening to the various bubbles and watching the animations play out.  When you put all of those things together though, the novel takes on a whole new life.

The first time you press your finger on the icon, you begin a new journey.  It’s a new way to read and a new way to dive into a fictional world.  I seriously wish all comics and graphic novels were done like this.  I can’t wait for the remaining issues and see how Candy’s adventure unfolds. 

If you have $3.99, you need to spend it now … you need to spend it now on Bottom of the Ninth 01.

9.0
“Velvet”