Boom! Studios 2016
Created & Written by Simon Spurrier
Illustrated by Dylan Burnett
Coloured by Triona Farrell
Lettered by Jim Campbell
Last issue we met Sid and got our first glimpse into the life he has found himself in. Possessed by a spider that gives him incredible abilities and loyal to one man, think the Godfather, and expected to fall in line with their way of life now. How did the spiders come about and how does they choose their next host? Well we may not get all the answers here but we start getting a few as Sid’s story continues to unfold.
What really impresses me about the opening here is what Simon’s able to do with Sid. Everyone thinks he’s this little dipshit, nobody, worthless and all kinds of not long for this world but he’s got a brain, he’s smart, determined and above all right now able to operate with and control his spider. No one sees this as they are all more or less drones who don’t seem all that capable of independent thought and action. Honestly it’s really good strong characterization, and from Spurrier I expect nothing less.
After the debacle that is the opening Sid’s loyalty is tested. I love this because as his spider is screaming at him to tell the truth he’s able to resist it, see what’s happening and prove he’s loyal. During this process we get the first glimpse into what could be the origins of the spiders. I gotta say i’m thoroughly intrigued by it and seriously hope that in his digging around Sid is able to find out, by someone who was there preferably, what exactly happened and when the spiders were formed. I have a good idea in my head, any longtime comics fan should and it’s the thrill of seeing how close I am that heightens the experience.
Sid had Tommy on his side, kind of, but that’s no longer something he can rely on. Now his only friend or ally depending on your point of view is the boss's daughter. Ah Frankie she’s an interesting character and I have to admit I like her. Part of me sees her as this person who thinks she can control Sid, work her deals and be who she is and still maintain some control behind the scenes and part of me sees her as dutiful daughter, friend to Sid and then someone who desperately wants out of this mess. So basically your typical multi-faceted young woman with extreme potential.
With both things that happen at the end of this issue on serve to reinforce my assessment of Sid. I’m not sure anyone, even Frankie, sees him as a player but he truly is and if the introduction of the newest character is any indication then perhaps someone else does too.
I like Dylan’s interior artwork. Sometimes a certain style is so well suited for the type of story being told and this is definitely one of those cases. There’s a great sense of style here that is rather eye catching. I like the use of pages and panels for the story’s flow. Some attention to detail when it’s needed and a lot of expression throughout. Triona’s colouring of this is superbly done and compliments Dylan’s style and the two work together extremely well. They give this that great sense of horror mixed with a Mob Movie that is inexplicably cool.
This is must have reading folks it’s just wildly original, unique and outside the box.