There’s a lot to love about Fireborn #1. It’s set squarely in the world of Lost Fantasy, and yet manages to be a standalone story. It’s also a comic that boasts a unique mix of superheroic tropes, mystical beings, and a coming-of-age journey. Though where protagonist Aaron Hillburg is concerned, it’s more of a “coming of rage” story. Aaron’s father is an obscenely rich land developer engulfed in a legal scandal – to say Aaron hates him is an understatement, as he spends most of his time engaging in parkour and collecting mecha figurines. Yet Aaron’s entire life is upended once he runs into a stranger carrying a dragon egg, which bonds to the surly teenager and grants him powers beyond measure…while also putting a target on his head.
Some people will be drawn to Fireborn #1 for its premise alone, but others will more than likely pick it up due to one name on the cover: Franklin Jonas. Yes, that’s “Jonas” as in “Jonas Brothers”, though Franklin wasn’t in the band – and thankfully, Fireborn #1 is crafted by someone who truly loves comic books rather than serving as a vanity project. Jonas manages to make Aaron quite a compelling character in the space of a single issue. We get to see what makes him tick, other than the rage at his father, and he rightfully freaks out when he gets dragon-based powers. I also love the back and forth between Aaron’s daily life and the mysterious man carrying the dragon egg that bonds with him, which builds to an inevitable confrontation.
It doesn’t hurt that Jonas has Lost Fantasy writer/co-creator Curt Pires as a partner. Pires has created an entire world’s worth of mythology in Lost Fantasy, yet he and Jonas make Fireborn #1 a story that fans of all stripes can get into. If you’ve read Lost Fantasy, this is a great addition to that world. If you haven’t, it’s still a pretty badass comic. Image excels at crafting universes that feels expansive, yet reader-friendly; it genuinely feels at this point like the world of Lost Fantasy can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Massiveverse and the Energon Universe.
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Fireborn #1 also features some truly incredible artwork, courtesy of Patrick Mulholland. Mulholland manages to make each and every character in this comic feel distinct: a group of bikers feel truly menacing thanks to their rippling muscles and the magic guns they’re carrying, the man with the dragon egg looks less like Gandalf the Grey and more like Gandalf the Lost, and Aaron’s dad looks every bit like the douche you’d imagine him to be. As for Aaron, he falls halfway between a young Gerard Way and Squall Leonheart from Final Fantasy VIII.
That’s nothing compared to when Aaron finally gets his dragon powers. The egg wraps him in a cocoon of spiny black armor, complete with burning red eyes. Once again, it feels like this is pulled from anime – specifically, Yu-Gi-Oh! and the Red-Eyes Black Dragon – but it also feels in the same vibe as other Image icons, mainly Rogue Sun. Once Aaron armors up, Mulholland also delivers an intense fight scene, complete with a splash page of Aaron’s fist smashing into one of the bikers’ jaw and another page where he completely immolates another of them in a burst of reddish-pink flames.
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Fireborn #1 also benefits from the same “Giant-Sized” format that Lost Fantasy #1 launched with, meaning that it’s roughly two to three issues’ worth of material in a single format. I love comics that fit this format, as it helps ease the reader into the world; it also means the creators are free to put their best foot forward.
Fireborn #1 burns brightly in its debut, crafting a mystical superhero epic that will hook readers of all shapes. If you love Invincible or Radiant Black, this comic is for you. If you’re a fantasy fan, this comic is for you. If you want to get into comics, this comic is for you.
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