Dark Horse Comics 2015 On Sale August
Created, Written & Illustrated by Scott Kolins
Lettered by Michael Heisler
Welcome to the new series by Scott Kolins and honestly I am rather impressed it’s like he’s evolved his visual style to be more comic book traditional but still keeps his own unique edge to it. Artwork is stunning and colour palette is fantastic, page five showcasing the surround jungle on the island Adam lives on is beautiful and his depiction of the animal life is spot on perfect.
Story wise it’s got a few elements to it that combined make it new, fresh and original in nature and I see this Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Animal Man mixture here that combines all the future tech with the animal communications and jungle life make this just fun. Then there’s his family and his life that adds a new dynamic to his life, his wife pregnant with twins and first born only recently come to live with him and being at odds with each other trying to get to know one another just adds a tension to it all.
On page nine with the animals paying him a visit, prey and predator alike, congratulating him on being a father again and wondering after Beo, his nearly grown, you begin to see that they love Adam and they look out for him with warnings and such and you almost get the feeling without ever having officially meeting Beo he’s jealous of his father, and his father’s life. Before we can delve further into that we see him kind of jump in action to save Mojo, you’ll have to read this to understand Mojo. What happens after saving Mojo however is a portent of what’s to come and if this is related to the Bracers that Beo gave him i’m uncertain but it seems like something horrific is coming.
I can’t quite explain a few things I’m feeling after reading this but I will say this really is an experience you should have. There’s this mystery surrounding his son’s gift of these bracers not to mention Beo himself who has an anger and madness about him that could be related to where he got the bracers from. A sense of danger on the horizon just as great joy is to begin as well sets the tone of what’s to come and makes this first introduction one where you want to not only see what’s going to happen but you want to see more of what Adam is capable of.
His wife Skye and son Beo are almost like his light and his dark and the animals who love them their extended family and to know or feel that something is coming to try and tear his world asunder you already hope he’s up to the task of stopping it. Then I’m also really intrigued by this major domo type sphere that has the electronic capabilities that it’s shown because it just shows that this island home is set in a world that’s farther advanced than we think. So many different things happening here and so much we see and don’t that Scott has really outdone himself here and has upped his game in ways that will just really impress. I thought his work on the Rogues was amazing but honestly this in a whole new stratosphere.
I love the new phrases Scott creates to use here alongside the tight, detailed and just beautifully rendered interiors make this one a must have. It’s out in August so reserve yours today!