Review – Four Eyes: Hearts of Fire #1 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Max Fiumara
Release Date: 6th January 2016

Four Eyes: Heart of Fire is the second arc in the story of Enrico, and his pet Dragon, the titular Four Eyes, but before you begin thinking this is something akin to ‘Pete’s Dragon’, you should know that the story is set in an alternate depression era New York, where Dragon fighting is the number one form of underground entertainment, and the reason for the death of Enrico’s father. Yeah, this ain’t Disney, boys and girls!

The issue opens on a curious note, introducing what would appear to be Enrico’s older brother, but the focus thereafter shifts to the training of the deformed Dragon, and in the process explores the cultivation of Fawkes and Enrico’s father/son type relationship, highlighting each character’s particular reservations regarding Four Eyes. Enrico’s struggle to come to terms with what is necessary for his Dragon to become powerful, is tempered by his desire to be ‘king of the castle’ and protect his family from harm, and these hints of fantasy symbolism provide a magical hook at the heart of what is a fairly grim story, given its racially charged depression era setting.

But perhaps the standout element of this wonderfully engaging series is the artwork of Max Fiumara. His elongated, angular figures populate a variety of neatly crafted layouts, echoing artistic movements of the book’s setting, and as with the previous volume, the issue is predominantly cast in monochrome with only occasional flashes of colour. But it’s his work on the titular beast and it’s ilk that seals the deal. If there are better rendered Dragons in any comic on the shelves, I’d sure like to see them. The power, weight, ferocity, agility, and scale of the beasts can all be keenly felt from the page in a series of breathtakingly dramatic double page spreads that will leave your jaw on the floor.

Continuing the same high standard of the previous volume, the second arc of Four Eyes if off to a fantastic start. With it’s unique blend of genres and truly spectacular art, it’s a series you won’t want to miss out on.

Rating: 5/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
[Click to Enlarge]

The Writer of this piece was: Martin Doyle
You can follow Martin on Twitter
You can check out more of Martins reviews and thoughts on random retro things over at Retromuse