Script by: Julio Anta
Art by: Daniel Irizarri
Coloring by: Patricio Delpeche
Lettering by: Lucas Gattoni
Cover by: Daniel Irizarri
Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Summary:
We are pulled into the town of Aquadilla, Puerto Rico, in the year 2017 as the issue starts. A Hurricane has hit the island, and the shadow of a large beast roams throughout the streets. The story pushes forward eight years later, at a radio station.
Lori Flores is the main character who is introduced in the first few pages; we see how her concern is pointed towards her homeland. Eight years later, she becomes an activist for Puerto Rico, promoting for prosperity and voting against building tourist resorts on the island.
Lori and her dissenter, Mr. Hunt, Â have a debate at the local radio station about the process of building resorts on the island to bring financial stability to Puerto Rico. She argues against the point that resorts should happen. Meanwhile, the beast appears within the construction
site of the new resort.
The issue takes a turn when Lori and the rest of the residents of Aquadilla begin to commence a ceremonial groundbreaking, when a crane machine slams into trees and runs into the beast.
The beast appears for the first time to the residents.
This issue also contains a short story called “Seven Gates” by Justin Jordan, Tony Akins and Aditya Bidikar. In this short story, a man narrates as he and his friend Jane decide to hunt down gates, or portals into the other realm.
Great start to this series; I thoroughly enjoyed this first issue from start to finish. The story is easy to follow and relatable considering that it has several themes such as: environmental preservation, ancestral duty, the death of a loved one, and the appearance of a strange creature amongst the rubble. I think lovers of indie comics will love this one, as it’s a change of pace from the superhero genre. The artwork shines and matches well with the compact yet detailed dialogue from the characters. The beast’s design is memorable.
Overall: 10/10
India Williams is a comic writer and reviewer based in Florida. She is a lifelong comics fan, with favorites including Thor, Conan, G.I. Joe, and Speed Racer. When she’s not writing comics or reviewing them, she enjoys toy photography.
