Spirit World #1, written by Alyssa Wong, with art by Haining and colors by Sebastian Cheng, picks up a few nights after we left our characters in Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate. The issue is action-packed and immediately draws the reader in, which is exactly what you want to see in a #1 issue.
Spirit envoy Xanthe Zhou and John Constantine are on a quest to find a new portal to the Spirit World in order to rescue Batgirl (Cassandra Cain), who was taken there by a dying collective. Constantine has a friend who may be able to help them. Meanwhile, Batgirl is attracting trouble in the Spirit World as the spirits are drawn to her mortal scent. After a chaotic chase through the city, she finds refuge with a helpful couple. Xanthe and Constantine encounter unexpected challenges at his friend’s house, and while they’re hot on the trail of a new portal, Xanthe runs into someone from their past.
Credit: DC Comics
Wong’s writing is crisp throughout. Each character has their own unique voice, and the budding relationship between Xanthe and Constantine was fun to see. They make an interesting pairing. The action keeps things exciting, and a couple of cliffhangers leave readers eagerly anticipating issue two.
The art is a standout feature of the issue. Haining excels at adding great little details that keep things interesting, whether it’s a normal city street in the rain or the dazzling cityscape of the Spirit World filled with neon signs and ethereal spirits. Mr. Nguyen’s shop is filled with artifacts, trinkets, and about a dozen cats, making it a captivating setting. The magical effects are beautifully rendered, and the spirit designs can be both fantastical and eerie, such as giant Cheshire cat-like faces in the sky or disembodied hands reaching out for Batgirl as she swings and tumbles through the skyline. The colors are also impressive, with the whole Spirit World glowing in neon greens and pinks that are echoed in the magic that Xanthe and Constantine use throughout the issue.
Credit: DC Comics
Spirit World #1 is an excellent start to this new series. Alyssa Wong’s writing is sharp and captivating, and the art by Haining and colors by Sebastian Cheng are simply stunning. The action is intense, the characters are well-developed and have their unique personalities, and the world-building is fantastic. The issue leaves readers on the edge of their seats with its multiple cliffhangers and promises of more excitement to come in the subsequent issues. Fans of supernatural adventure comics will find much to enjoy and it’s definitely worth checking out.
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