It seems timely, this new title from IDW: it’s all about wildfires. It’s midsummer, so let’s catch the drift, go with the flow, see if there’s fire where there’s smoke, with Dark Spaces: Wildfire #1.
Writer Scott Snyder puts us under pressure right away with this title. It’s about a team of women, all convicts, who band together to fight fires. It’s a job, it’s a challenge. The premise is well constructed. Snyder gives us a primer on firefighting technology to begin with, as we get to know the team, their dynamics, their pecking order. The dialogue is tough and burly, functional and specific. The women are tough and surly, with definite, recognizable personalities. There is a strong team spirit here, linking Crew 513.
The visuals, courtesy of artist Hayden Sherman and colourist Ronda Pattison, are vivid. We might expect a story about wildfires to be all about leaf greens and blazing reds, yet the highly detailed panels are also full of line texture, crosshatching, with purples, oranges, and yes, green. Letters are by Andworld Design.
The story reads well, the plot thickens faster than an old growth trail, and yes, this is a book to watch, to hold warmly in your hot little hands.
IDW, Dark Spaces Wildfire #1, $3.99 for 30 pages of content.
Newsdesk