Wynd has been an impressive new fantasy series from BOOM! Studios that can be enjoyed by all ages. The third issue is out this week, further revealing how changing from a graphic novel to a single-issue series has reaped benefits. The series reads differently with extra pages and extra room to breathe. That can cause it to feel a tad slow, but that is part of its charm, too. In the third issue, things really open up with a creation tale that reveals how the world has become so tainted.
This is a strong third issue, setting the characters on a dangerous journey while filling in some gaps as to why there’s such a hatred for the magical creatures in the world. It opens on Wynd, the main character, all alone in a group via a full page spread. It’s a great place to start in part because this issue is all about the sacrifices others make for us, many of which lead to great danger and risk. This first page suggests Wynd is alone when that couldn’t be further from the truth. The book reveals great risk and heroism from his friends and family to get him out of the city and into safety.
In this opening scene, we find Wynd looking for his friend Oakley, who works in the sewers. She helps him find a place that actually turns magical creatures into “normal” beings. At the start, Oakley is chipper and excited to help Wynd, and by the end, she goes through her own journey, never failing her friend but also taking great risk and loss. It’s a heartbreaking adventure issue that is rife with escape and close calls. Like any good fantasy story, Wynd and his friends are taking a great risk, but they are doing this thing for a good reason and they see it through. All good people would.
Hmm, what is the story behind this?
Credit: BOOM! Studios
Another huge aspect of this issue that works is the flashback to a story that may or may not be entirely real, but it seems so. We learn about how Pipetown got to its ways of walls and hatred of magical creatures. It’s an interesting tale and while I’m a sucker for creation stories, I can safely say writer James Tynion IV has presented one that is unique and creative. It also holds a mirror up to our world and helps us understand it a bit better. For adults, you’ll see what he’s doing. Kiddos might not immediately, but they will learn something. This is another feather in the cap for this series and it’s great work in teaching and reflecting our world in non-overt ways.
All this, and I haven’t even gotten to the interrogation scene that reminded me of Inglourious Basterds. The book ends on a high note because of the tension that builds to it.
The art is some of Michael Dialynas’s best yet, helping to create mystery, tension, and always managing to pace a scene perfectly. I found Wynd wandering with Oakley interesting in part because of how Dialynas blocked the scene or in the emotional state of the characters. The story within the story is very good, told in a dreamlike way reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild‘s flashback scenes. This is in part due to the colors by Dialynas, which are warm and bright compared to the main story. The art is a bit simplistic, which conveys a sense of history as if the stories were told on cave walls. it’s a nice subtle touch that works.
Wynd #3 continues to be a great mix of fantasy storytelling and allegory. It’s a tale that has a deeper meaning, but also entertains on other levels too. Wynd is a good fantasy that mixes allegory and adventure cutting deeply into why fiction is so good for us.
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