The Few #1by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 6 Edan Hale's group is attacked. She's handed a baby in a gasmask and makes a run for it into the woods of what used to be Montana. She's found and taken in by a father and son, who take her along with them -- and they are part of the last resistance against the Palace in this dystopian future United States. But who's side is Hale on?The issue opens with a map of the former continental United States showing the West coast, the North East, and a few random other states as belonging to the Palace. The rest, especially those from the mid-West to the Gulf Coast, are dotted with orange, signifying "clean water". It also states that the Palace drinking water status is critical, and that operatives should investigate. That alone sets up for an interesting dystopian story. Water is often at the heart of such stories, so that's not a surprise. Neither is the fact that the map could easily be a Democratic (Palace) versus Republican (clean water) division -- not exactly, but close enough to make me wonder if that will be a theme that's worked in somehow, masked by the politics within this setting. The art and coloring are stark -- mostly white with black, greys, and gray-blues with a soft orange highlighting blood and a few other details. The orange is softened even more to follow them inside out of the winter weather, providing a deeper feel for the setting even with simplicity. The art is sketchy, which fits with the story. The baby and its gasmask seem completely random, and could work for (as a cover) and against (she has to take care of it) Edan. The timeline in this issue jumps around some, making it a bit hard to follow. It didn't help that Edan hallucinated, and that the shift between her attackers (supposedly on her side) and those who took her in wasn't clearly defined. The last page is where things get real interesting, revealing Edan's true purpose ... and that it's not going off according to plan. I'm curious about that, but I'm more curious about the state of the world this is set in. Curious, but not really hooked. There wasn't quite enough to truly pique my interest. Written: February 7, 2017
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