Curt Pires is always good for original, grounded ideas, which makes his new series Lost Fantasy seem way outside his comfort zone. Sure, he’s done superheroes, of a sort, but now he’s going full fantasy and even rewriting world history in the process. With the first issue out April 30th (and final orders due April 7), Let’s take a look at the extra-sized first issue.
If you enjoy world-building in comics, you’ll probably love Lost Fantasy #1. The first issue opens on a young girl running from someone so dangerous they can hack someone in half. Soon, she runs into traffic, and we then meet a magic-using rookie monster hunter, Henry Blackheart, who was brought in to investigate. It’s a tight opening that feels incredibly grounded, thanks to art by Lucas Casalanguida.
From there, the issue delves into how magic became the norm in the world. We get an entire backstory tied to historical events and dates. If ever there was a comic that could use a data page, this is it, yet the story unfolds visually, keeping the pace up. Generally speaking, there’s a lot of fresh ideas introduced with tons of potential to explore further. If you’ve been liking what Jonathan Hickman has been up to with the Ultimate Universe, you’ll respect what is going on here. With the backstory out of the way, the issue jumps to Blackheart and an intense action scene.
Think he’s okay?
Credit: Image
The action scene is well-choreographed with a monster Blackheart fights that feels like it’s out of a Mike Mignola comic. The layouts are particularly fun, with gutters zig-zagging here and there. It’s fun to follow and longer than most action scenes, as if to make a point. The art can look a little rough and lacking detail at times, but the action is easy to follow.
As far as the mystery of this world, Blackheart’s activities are intriguing. Thanks to the local police helping Blackheart, you’ve got a procedural element ripe for more development. Even with plenty of backstory on how magic is normalized, there’s a lot left open for the reader, leaving many opportunities for future issues. It’s the kind of comic that could be a tight miniseries or a hundred world-building issues.
Lost Fantasy #1 is an ambitious genre mash-up that boldly reimagines history through the lens of magic and monster-hunting. Despite some uneven art, it offers rich world-building and energetic action. It has action, multiple genres working on a high level, and a world worth investing in.
You must be logged in to post a comment.