The Pound #1
With vampires dominating mainstream media, and zombies making a recent shuffle to join them with The Walking Dead, it was only a matter of time before werewolves made a bid to join them. Getting in early is Stephan Nilson and Karl Waller’s The Pound, a light hearted and modern visit to the world of lupine shape shifters.
It’s a nice straightforward premise, two animal control experts, recently laid off (topical) set up in business on their own. One night they get more than they bargained for when they tackle an unusually large dog. Yep, you guessed it; things aren’t quite what they seemed.
It’s the first issue, so there’s a lot of set up and character building here, perhaps a little too much. It takes a little too long for me to cut to the chase, and feels a little forced too. The older, more streetwise character takes a little longer than is really necessary to get on board with his younger workmates entrepreneurial scheme. Perhaps this reticence will be a major part of the plot as the story pans out. We’ll see.
When the action does come, it’s well done with some really nice, inventive artwork. It can’t be easy coming up with a fresh take on the two men chase a big dog scenario, but Waller manages it. A fine upside down point of view shot being a perfect example.
The characters are well written and all in all this first issue does exactly what a first issue should do, that is, introduce the characters and end with you wanting to know what happens next. The Pound does that by giving us a light, mildly amusing story and by ending with a nice hook too. No matter what you think of the story, you will certainly turn the last page and wonder what’s coming in Issue Two. Especially when we’re told at the end that the next instalment is called ‘Things Get Weirder.’
Mildly amusing, this won’t have you laughing out loud, and with even more mild shocks, it’s not going to scare you either. That may make it sound like it fails on both counts, but it’s not trying to be out and out comedy or horror. It’s an amiable take on a well worn genre and does enough to make you want to see what comes next.
With an ending that leaves the story wide open, it could go anywhere at all, and that’s what will bring you back. An interesting opening gambit, Issue One is well worth a read, especially if you’re a werewolf fan. Even if you’re not, you’ll find this an enjoyable enough read.
7/10
The Pound
Issue One of Five – Horror Business
Published by Frozen Beach Studios
Written by Stephan Nilson
Illustrated by Karl Waller
Coloured by Romula Fajardo Jr
Lettered by Charles Pritchett
Check out the Preview http://comicbuzz.com/the-pound-1-preview
