Swarthy Swashbuckler and worlds that are ending
Warriors with jetpacks and heroes defending
Gruff old bartenders and wisdom they bring
These are a few of my favorite things…
“Wild Blue Yonder” #1 by Mike Raicht and Zach Howard has got it all.
Written by Mike Raicht
Illustrated by Zach HowardTake to the skies in this thrilling new action-adventure sci-fi tale. In the near future, mankind has destroyed the Earth, and the only refuge from radioactive pollution can be found in the skies. Unfortunately dwindling supplies and bloodthirsty air-pirates make life all the harder. Will the crew of the Dawn escape the merciless Judge and survive another week? Read the book everyone will be talking about and find out!
Mike Raicht and Zach Howard have engineered a new series that combines all of most important mechanics of action adventure stories skillfully, creating a new tale of high-flying adventure that buzzes and whirrs with excitement. Their efforts come together in the first issue of the new series, “Wild Blue Yonder,” from IDW. The story, imagined by Raicht, Howard, and fellow Noble-Transmission founder Austin Harrison, begins with a brief history of the way our world died. Establishing the post-apocalyptic setting succinctly, and letting the audience know that the safety and security we have grown accustomed to are long gone, the creative begins constructing a new world from scraps of the old. In the scenario the team presents, those who could afford to do so, took to the air. Giant aircrafts became self-contained societies, offering some respite to those lucky enough to find away aboard. The less fortunate were left grounded, and charged with producing the raw materials necessary for keeping these floating oases in the air. Before the first character is ever introduced, the team has presented a set of circumstances ripe for conflict, and full of possibility. Much more than “Waterworld” with planes, “Wild Blue Yonder” #1, takes on the end of the world with enthusiastic, imaginative freshness.
“Wild Blue Yonder” #1 introduces a fetching, feisty aviatrix named Cola, who brings a heart to the bleak world that the team has created. The heroine is part of a family of airmen who have a lot to lose. The familiar dynamic represented by Cola and her compatriots makes the series relatable and gives weight to the events that unfold across the issue.
Taking cues from adventure stories of all sorts, “Wild Blue Yonder” achieves an innovative new tone. Pirate tales, Westerns, science fiction, war stories and disaster films go into the mix, and what comes out is uniquely intriguing, and completely engaging. There’s never a dull moment in this first issue. Well paced and surprising “Wild Blue Yonder” #1 barrel rolls, dips, and soars effectively keeping readers on the edge of their seat. Though the story covers a great deal of territory, the clear writing and quickly established characters serve as effective guides throughout this airborne tale.
Howard’s art brings beauty and integrity to the title. Accomplishing the feat of creating a visual tone that is both nostalgic and futuristic, Howard’s work is a strong asset to the title. Nelson Daniel’s limited sepia palette forces readers to feel the grime that has been building on the planet, and makes it seem plausible that the world was indeed dying. Grease and mechanics; gun smoke and fire power; desperation and necessity; all come through in the wilting colors used in this issue. The brown tones of the issue do not dampen the impact of Howard’s work. Instead the figures and faces he creates fight free of the drab tones; driving home the idea that despite the dire circumstances the characters face they are endowed with hope and humanity. As important to “Wild Blue Yonder” as the characters themselves are the airships, planes, and jetpacks that free them from the decay below. Howard’s rendering of these machines is skillful and believable, so much so that they seem to have a voice of their own at moments. When taken as a whole the visual elements of “Wild Blue Yonder” #1 come together to give a stunning impression of what life has become in this time and place, and why the persistence of life matters.
An inspired start to the series, this first issue of “Wild Blue Yonder” is full of promise. The new world created for the series is full of complex, endearing characters, and villains who make us fear for them. The destruction story presented in this issue is well articulated, and establishes a new mythology that integrates easily into the rules of play that will guide the series. The stakes are high, but the creative team piloting this tale have established in this issue that they are up to the challenge of taking the action adventure story to new heights. Beautiful artwork, effective storytelling and well-written dialogue draw the audience into this world, in which the sky is no longer the limit.
Final Verdict: 8.6 – Suit up, strap in, and don’t forget your helmet, this series is going places.
