Review – The New World #1 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Aleš Kot
Artwork: Tradd Moore
Colours: Heather Moore, Yesflat
Lettering: Clayton Cowles
Release Date: 25th July 2018

So, here’s the blurb: Set in The United States of America—after the Second Civil War—THE NEW WORLD follows two lovers. One: a straight-edge vegan hacker anarchist boy with a penchant for messing with the State. The other: a chaotic, hedonistic cop with a reality TV show and a license to kill. This really shouldn’t happen—and yet, somehow, it does. Soon, the entire state of New California is after them—so they have to run.

This first issue introduces us to The New World with an impressive and weighty 64-page opening salvo. Kot makes great use of the extra space in this extra-large issue by giving a sufficiently succinct exposition on the background of why we are where we are. It’s a wise approach, and means that these details don’t prey on our minds while his clever dialogue leads us through the exploration of what’s happening now and what’s still to come.

I loved Aleš’ work on the Secret Avengers, so it was with no small amount of expectation that I picked up this comic. And, I’m glad to say, I definitely wasn’t disappointed. He has a flair for the dramatic and the absurd, so much so that back in 2015 the Guardian conducted an insightful interview with him. That alone kinda points to the fact that the man is doing something right, or at least doing enough to garner mainstream attention.

My introduction to Tradd’s artwork was through his covers for Marvel’s Secret Avengers which were pretty darn cool, as was his worthy portrayal of the Ghost Rider. His work here in The New World is typically trippy made even more so with the psychedelic colour palette.

I won’t go into too much detail about the meat of the comic, but what really drew me into and through this introduction was the way that the two main protagonists were inexorably drawn together, from their first meeting through to their subsequent forced “introductions”.

Overall this is very well-crafted and well-paced. And, with four more issues to come, there is scope for a really tantalising tale to emerge. But don’t take my word for it. I’m only here to point you in the direction, it’s up to you to go see for yourself. It’s certainly worth the cover price.

Rating: 4/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK]