Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a seemingly normal teenager learns they possess immense power before being whisked away into a world with people like them to hone their newfound abilities and save the world. But what happens if this child is the cause of destruction instead of salvation? That’s the question David Marquez asks in his creator-owned series The Unchosen #1, which focuses on teenager Aida struggling to master her gift and dealing with everything from people trying to kill her to her fellow magicians belittling her.
Marquez is the definition of a “rising star”; he’s best known for his work on titles including Miles Morales: Spider-Man and Justice League with Brian Michael Bendis, and the current Uncanny X-Men series with Gail Simone. The Unchosen #1 marks his first foray into creator-owned comics, and it feels like Marquez is taking what makes his work in superhero stories stand out and applying it to this comic. Each page is either laced with intense action or larger-than-life imagery. Take the opening pages, which start with Aida slowly opening her eyes. As the panels push out, it slowly reveals that she’s in the middle a massive crater, sparking questions as to what exactly led her to this point.
The action sequences are probably what’ll draw readers to The Unchosen #1, and Marquez doesn’t disappoint on that front either. A fist hitting a face crumples someone’s nose like a soda can, bringing in spurts of blood. Weapons of light carve trails of golden or eldritch energy through the air. Locations like a shining white cathedral, a lush forest, or an apocalyptic battleground stand out thanks to Marissa Louise’s rich color art. So does DC Hopkins’ lettering. When someone uses the mystical power known as “The Word”, their word balloons turn into a twist of arcane symbols, and Hopkins makes sure it feels truly unworldly. It’s just something you’ll have to pick up and see for yourself.
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I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the work that Marquez puts into his characters to make them feel truly unique. With her wide-eyed expressions and seemingly boundless energy, Aida feels like an actual teenager. In contrast, the mysterious Vasha is statuesque and moves with the force of a freight train. The real standouts of The Unchosen #1 are the mysterious figures shrouded in black robes chasing Aida; they’re equal parts eerie and menacing, which is the right kind of mix you need for a bad guy.
However, while Marquez’s artwork is a standout, his writing is an area that needs refinement. So far, The Unchosen #1 gives only glimpses of its mysterious world, and while it’ll probably be unveiled in future issues, it feels like some pieces of the story are missing – I don’t know what exactly makes Aida special or why these mysterious people in black are after her.
The Unchosen #1 is a solid start to a new fantasy universe, thanks to David Marquez’s unique idea and gorgeous artwork. Anime fans and lovers of young adult stories, particularly Percy Jackson and the Olympians, might have found their new favorite comic book.
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