Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.
This week we have a three terrific books for you. The first is Dark Ride #1 from Image Comics, and the second is Earthdivers #1 which is from IDW Publishing. Finally, there is Kaya #1 also from Image Comics.
You can find these books at your LCS or wherever you buy books on October 5, 2022.
Also the rest of the #NewNumberOnes for October are here.
Dark Ride #1
Image Comics
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Andrei Bressan
Colors by Adriano Lucas
Letters by Pat Brosseau
Cover Art by Bressan & Lucas
Original Solicitation:
Devil Land has been the world’s premiere horror-themed amusement park for over 50 years, home to the scariest ride ever created – The Devil’s Due. But when lifelong fan Owen Seasons begins his first day on the job, he will discover the true horrors happening behind the scenes, the truth about the park’s reclusive creator Arthur Dante and that the job of his dreams might just be a living nightmare.
PCS Review:
I really enjoyed this book. The dark and twisted parallels to the “House of Mouse” that guide the premise to this book are apparent and engaging. Williamson is a fantastic writer and the narrative of this book gently slides the reader into a comfortably ensconced alcove of this world and gives them a bird’s eye view of the bizarre reality of it. The assumed protagonist is an interesting character and well…. I don’t want to give anything away but it is well done.
Andrei Bressan’s designs for this “amusement” park and the overall tone of the book are perfect. It is just normal enough to pass but the normality is fraying. Adriano Lucas meshes perfectly with terrific coloring work on this book. Pat Brosseau does an excellent job adding the sound to the display with both excellent lettering and sound effects.
Ultimately I feel like we have just made it to the top of the first hill on this roller coaster and the park is laid out before us in all its glory, as we prepare for the stomach churning first drop. Can’t wait for more.
Earthdivers #1
IDW Publishing
Written by Stephen Graham Jones
Art by Davide Gianfelice
Colors by Joana Lafuente
Cover Art by Gianfelice
Original Solicitation:
Stephen Graham Jones makes his ongoing comics debut with Earthdivers! The year is 2112, and it’s the apocalypse exactly as expected: rivers receding, oceans rising, civilization crumbling. Humanity has given up hope, except for a group of outcast Indigenous survivors who have discovered a time travel portal in a cave in the middle of the desert and figured out where the world took a sharp turn for the worst: America. Convinced that the only way to save the world is to rewrite its past, they send one of their own on a bloody, one-way mission back to 1492 to kill Christopher Columbus before he reaches the so-called New World. But taking down an icon is no easy task, and his actions could prove devastating for his friends in the future.
PCS Review:
Before anything, I have to admit that I am a huge fan of Davide Gianfelice. I absolutely love his art style and execution. This book is a perfect vehicle for him to shine. The visual narrative is expertly crafted, the set designs are wonderful.
The story from Stephen Graham Jones is definitely captivating. The premise of assassinating Columbus is certainly a popular concept in some circles, but the framing of that in this story gives it urgency. The character development in this first issue is well done. We are definitely interested in seeing this story play out.
Kaya #1
Image Comics
Written by Wes Craig
Art by Craig
Colors by Jason Wordie
Letters by Andworld Design
Cover Art by Craig & Moreno Dinisio
Original Solicitation:
A jam-packed series premiere with 31 gorgeous story pages, plus bonus material and a Jack Kirby-inspired variant cover by DEADLY CLASS co-creator WES CRAIG!
After the destruction of their village, a young girl with a magic arm and a fighting spirit is tasked with delivering her little brother to a faraway safe haven. There, he’s destined to discover the secret to overthrowing the all-powerful empire that destroyed their home.
From writer and artist WES CRAIG comes an astonishing new ongoing fantasy-adventure series about siblings surviving in a world of monsters and mutants.
PCS Review:
Yeah. This is good. Wes Craig is hitting on all cylinders with this book. The main characters are immediately appealing in both design and characterization. The setting is bleak and harsh and there is an instant sense of empathy for these two refugees tossed against and unforgiving landscape.
One of the difficulties of a executing a solid first issue is maintain the balance of giving just enough character and setting history while on the run and getting the current story going. Craig nails that. Everyone knows that I am sucker for Jason Wordie’s coloring, and boy, did he hit it out of the park with this one. Along with the expert letters from Andworld, this book is technically and spiritually on track for great success. We are eagerly looking forward to the second issue.
