Image Comics 2015
Written by Todd McFarlane & Brian Holguin
Cover/Story Art by Clayton Crain
Well here we have a couple powerhouses in the industry and while I’m not terribly familiar with Brian I’ve been a huge fan of both Todd and Clayton’s for ages now. Clayton has emerged as one of today’s premiere computer generated artists and with his background in pencil and paper it’s rather impressive. So while I have given up on reading Previews and reading sites that tell you too much too soon it’s more fun coming into this blind. From what I’ve read this first issue it’s that you should question everything including God.
So this starts with the ending and then moves back to it’s origin and that’s an effective tool and even more so since we aren’t sure if what we see actually happens. Jill Benninston is a reporter who is covering an event surrounding a man who has held the nation's attention for months. Who is this mystery man and why does he have the nations rapt attention? These are the questions the series will look at and answer.
There are a few nuggets in this that you’ll appreciate once you read the issue as you see things that are done here that are unexpected and delightful. It’s all part of the storytelling process and rest assured these gents know what they are doing. I have to say that when we see this miracle worker it’s pretty clear who he reminds me of and I found that incredibly interesting for all sorts of reasons. How we see him though is a nod to Clayton and the way he’s able to visualize a story and then translate that to the page. We said Jill’s a reporter and it’s a television news broadcast so by giving us this television style viewing and the tight focus really has an impact.
So then we head back six months before all this happened. In the town Damascus, Kansas we see Jill and what she’s doing in the area as well getting to know the townsfolk. I doubt that the name of the town is coincidence, remember I don’t believe in those, Damascus sounds like it’s going to be involved in some sort Greek catastrophe after all. Again kudos to Clayton on the depiction of small town middle America because it looks like it is a modern Mayberry and a place you’d like to live.
Do yourself a favour and read this issue if for nothing else than for Jill’s speech to her old high school. It has this raw emotional honesty about it and it resonates so well with the world we live in today that this message should be heard by as many people as possible. Then of course every story needs that catalyst that sets in all in motion and after a superb set up we get to see that. Let me tell you, you will be excited and horrified at the same time because this is something that is firmly rooted in reality to create this story. Brilliant work really and just so well executed all around and we see some great characterization as well.
Finishing the story makes you want to come back. This is off to a fabulous start it’s got the unique ingenuity in the story and breathtaking artwork to envelope your sense fully.