By Hunter T. Patrick
Perfect description is just what Image says, Romeo and Juliet meet Mad Max. Welcome to an alternate future where five major cities are all randomly bombed. No one knows who did it and no one is admitting to it. A second civil war breaks out and New California reigns supreme. In New California, there exists a reality show all about hunting criminals led by an extreme cop. Against the government comes a contradictory hacker anarchist who substations from any drug (including alcohol) and any meat. Like all good romances, romance ensues after a hook up from these two, and thus the story begins right where the first issue ends. This issue is super-lengthed and serves to introduce all the background needed. Prepare to be immersed.
The plotting is extremely unique with a fascinating premise. Though the first issue was a bit too long (clocking in over 60 pages), it still made learning about background something much needed for how compelling it is. The biggest disappointment is the length where it kept going, as needed as it is for the story, splitting it into two parts would be ideal, not that that would matter if a binge reader. The plotting tries to balance the two protagonists equally along with introducing the new world that readers have begun to enter. Pacing felt off for length but plotting works for introducing the world and doing just what a first issue should do. Though two parts is preferred, shoving all of this into a normal 20something page story would be way too heavy, so at least it was smart for an extension, not the preferred separation.
The art is all over the place. Sometimes it looks nice and smooth, while other times the artist’s interpretation of characters is just too distracting from the story. Artists should have their own style but this style for some character is just too unique to other parts that look good. Smoothness is what looks best, and background details look wonderful. The background is vital for a story this epic in scope and the artist hones this to such a strong degree. Besides some off-putting character designs, the art looks great.
First issues either excel strongly, making it impossible not to follow, fail miserably, making it impossible to follow, or show some potential but was decent. This falls closest to the latter. This issue serves as a lead-in, not a wonderful one-off. As the series progresses it may easily become such a rewarding issue, but it is too soon to tell. This review should reflect the issue itself and nothing else, which in that case the story is good. Nowhere near bad. The cliffhanger helps hook readers in for the next issue. The biggest problem, as stated, is the long length. Art looks epic, yet personal, as is the scope. The backstory is great with the entire world introduced in this issue. If on the fence for buying this just think if you are into an epic scope story with a promised romance to come, then you should check this out.
Score: 4/5
The New World #1
Image Comics