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“Scout’s Honor” #1

By | January 8th, 2021
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

In “Scout’s Honor” #1, writer David Pepose and his co-creators start with an intriguing premise and elevate things from there. (Warning: contains minor spoilers.)

Cover by Andy Clarke
with Jose Villarrubia

Written by David Pepose
Illustrated by Luca Casalanguida
Colored by Matt Milla
Lettered by Carlos M. Mangual

Years after a nuclear apocalypse, a new society has risen from the ashes…and their bible is an old Ranger Scout manual. A young Ranger Scout named Kit has endured the harsh survivalist upbringing needed to conquer the irradiated Colorado Badlands. But after discovering a terrible secret once lost to history, Kit must risk everything on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth behind the Ranger Scouts’ doctrine. From multiple Ringo Award-nominated writer David Pepose (“Spencer & Locke,” “Going to the Chapel,” “The O.Z.”) and artist Luca Casalanguida (“James Bond,” “Lost Soldiers”) comes a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age tale that proves when all you know is a lie, a Scout’s Honor is the only way to move forward.

Every night at 5:30 p.m., when the National Archives museum closes, the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are lowered into a bomb-proof underground vault made of concrete and steel that weighs 50 tons. During the day, the so-called “Charters of Freedom” are displayed in temperature-controlled, hermetically sealed, helium-filled document cases sheathed by a thick layer of protective glass. Two armed guards stand watch, ready to push the button at a moment’s notice, sending them down to their underground bunker should catastrophe strike.

Despite the U.S. government’s considerable precautions, however, in the world of “Scout’s Honor,” the descendants of Doomsday Preppers who survived the nuclear apocalypse don’t exactly adhere to the Founding Father’s original vision. Rather, they live by seven immutable laws, as written by the one True Prophet, Doctor Jefferson Hancock. Yes, Hancock’s laws are blatantly heteronormative and exceedingly patriarchal, but hey, at least slavery isn’t codified and no one is relegated to being three-fifths of a person. Not on paper, anyway.

Writer David Pepose has joked, “The best way for me to describe ‘Scout’s Honor’ is like Fallout meets Mulan meets The Handmaid’s Tale.” Personally, I’d also throw in a bit of vintage Mad Max and Shakespeare’s gender-bending classic “As You Like It.” Either way, Pepose’s dystopian world is run by a “sacred brotherhood” of hyper-masculine survivalists who treat their daily existence as one big chance to keep leveling up.

After a brief three-page intro that artfully establishes the utterly desolate Colorado Badlands landscape littered with twisted wreckage, Pepose hurls us into the action. Three uniformed Ranger Scouts are tracking a fearsome gamma boar when it suddenly attacks, instantly killing poor little Eddie — a disposable Red Shirt who’s with us a mere three panels.

In the wild sequence that follows, all four of the book’s creators get to showcase their talents as they quickly and efficiently set the tone for the story. Even as fellow Ranger Scouts, Kit and Dez, seek to avenge their friend’s death, they can’t help but celebrate their new accomplishments. “Ha. Explosive Merit Badge,” says Kit, retrieving a grenade from Eddie’s lifeless body. “Hell yes!” Dez exclaims after hot wiring an SUV. “Tactical Driving Merit Badge!”

At the same time, Luca Casalanguida’s dynamic inks and Matt Milla’s vibrant colors tell the story beautifully, allowing Pepose to keep his words to a minimum. Casalanguida’s nimble framing and interesting angles keep the sequences tight; Milla’s warm and cool palettes feel effortless and well-balanced; and Carlos M. Mangual’s inspired letters help keep the energy riding high.

With the pictures conveying the story, Pepose’s dialogue enhances the scene, giving us a deeper, more nuanced look at the boys’ relationship without ever slowing things down. By the time the boar is dispatched and the dust finally settles, we’ve got a pretty clear idea what Kit and Dez are all about. Until the first reveal, that is. That scene doesn’t linger, however, and soon it’s right back to the action.

Whether it’s the middle section, full of pomp and circumstance and pseudo-religious ceremony, or the other main action sequence, pitting Kit against the Highwaymen (who look like the Insane Clown Posse fronted by Jason Vorhees), the book hits on all cylinders. From start to finish all four creators are in total sync, giving us great characterizations, solid worldbuilding and well crafted action sequences. Not to mention, yet another reveal.

On the one hand, this book is great fun. On the other hand, it shrewdly interrogates some of scouting’s more antiquated, and perhaps unsettling, aspects such as its quasi-religious trappings, rigid paternalistic structure and disconcerting, cult-like activities. Certainly, there’s no shortage of post-apocalyptic fiction built around intriguing “what if” questions. With great execution on every level and a simple, but powerful premise, however, Pepose and his co-creators separate themselves from the pack with a first installment that feels fresh and vital – well deserving of a place on your pull list.

Final Verdict: 9.2 With a blend social commentary, tightly written action sequences and captivating characters, “Scout’s Honor” #1 starts with a great premise and rises to unexpected heights.


John Schaidler

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