Review – Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files: Wild Card #1 (Of 6) (Dynamite)

Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Jim Butcher, Mark Powers
Artist: Carlos Gomez, Mohan
Release Date: 20th April 2016

If you’ve ever read any of Jim Butchers Dresden File novels, then you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. If not the here’s the basics. They’re contemporary urban fantasy novels told in first person narrative by Harry Dresden Chicago’s first and only consulting wizard. Oh, and they’re cool.

This is my first dip into Harry’s sequential art world, there have been 6 previous stories. Pleasantly they all fit in and around the novels, and they integrate so much so that Jim Butcher has to warn readers to read the GN War Cry after the Novel Turn Coat so spoilers are avoided.

With all of this history you may, like I did, take your initial steps with some trepidation into this extended universe, but Jim Butcher & Mark Powers deftly introduces Harry and three of his most important supporting cast deftly it as the tale begins with a murder committed by a supernatural cross between the Joker and Alex from A Clockwork Orange, and Harry, Molly and Murphy beginning their investigation. This investigation leads Harry to another back catalogue character who can lead Harry to another. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the magic, there’s wands and a huge great big magical owl.

There is a however, however. On just a couple of occasions I was faced with the fact that there are characters or situations that couldn’t be easily or quickly explained. This is the first issue of a story set within a vibrant and multifaceted world where the world building has gone on for the best part of 17 years after all. But although these moments made me pause, they didn’t detract from what is really a very tasty entrée.

Butcher, being the Dresden Files author collaborates brilliantly with Mark Powers to translate Harry and the other characters on to the comic page, like an old pair of tailored bespoke gloves. Classy, comfy and like a second skin.

And as for Carlos Gomez’s (Pathfinder) art? It’s scrumptious. It’s fresh, it’s clear, it’s dynamic… It just works really well, and it’s wonderfully coloured by Mohan.

All in all, I was impressed with the first issue of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files: Wild Card (That’s a mouthful), yes it has a lot going on before it, but don’t let that put you off. Step into this tale and you will feel richly rewarded as the creative team do seem to be taking some care to allow new readers a chance to enjoy a new Harry Dresden story.

I’m sticking around for issue 2.

Rating: 4/5.

The writer of this piece was: John Wallace
John Tweets from @jmwdaredevil