Review - Low Road West #1 (boomstudios)

"You are on low road west."

Surviving in end times is never an easy scenario. Aside from all the environmental obstacles, there's an abundance of interpersonal issues that have to be navigated. Things are even tougher when you're kids as in Low Road West #1 from BOOM! Studios. The issue is written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, illustrated by Flaviano, colored by Miquel Muerto and lettered by Jim Campbell.

In the aftermath of a nuclear first strike that has left the East Coast uninhabitable, five teenagers are being sent west, away from the wreckage that was once their home. Halfway through the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, the shuttle that promised safety has broken down, stranding them in the middle of nowhere with only one another to count on. Their only hope seems to be a town just on the edge of the horizon, but the closer they get the stranger things become. If they want to survive, they will have to learn to trust one another-and with society crumbling around them, trust does not come easily. Their only hope seems to be a town just on the edge of the horizon, but the closer they get the stranger things become. If they want to survive, they will have to learn to trust one another.and with society crumbling around them, trust does not come easily.

Dystopian tales are certainly in abundance, but Johnson ensures that Low Road West #1 has a few tricks up its sleeve that keeps the readers guessing. Each of the kids in the book are unique in their own regard and Johnson blends together their disparate personalities in a way that builds slowly. The group of kids definitely have a ragtag feel to them and it's interesting how Johnson uses them as a means of explaining some of the world around them through their reactions and expectations. Johnson also infuses the issue with a pretty interesting sci-fi twist that appears once or twice in the issue and it'll be fascinating how that dynamic plays into the overall story. There's also an abundance of questions posed to the reader, none of which seem to be framed as takes on society, although Johnson definitely leaves some room for such issues to come up.

Flaviano's artwork is the perfect fit for the story. There's an intensity to the world in the series that Flaviano's style mitigates somewhat, but it's an appropriate amount of levity brought to the proceedings. Many of the panels are overlaid atop one another, many of which seem to focus on one character at a time to provide more insight into their personalities. Flaviano does really well with rendering the characters' facial expressions to emphasize their emotions in the face of the dire situation they find themselves in. Muerto's colors are pale and washed out, leaning heavily on browns, oranges and yellows that do a great job of showing the harsh desert landscape.

Low Road West #1 is a fascinating first issue that leaves quite a few roads open to explore as the series progresses. The characters involved are in the thick of things and looking to find a way to survive despite everything thrown at them. Johnson's story is sound and straightforward, offering plenty of questions to be answered. Flaviano's illustrations are a great match to the script and excel at conveying the visuals of the world to the reader. Low Road West #1 is a great first read that's a different look at the apocalypse.

Low Road West #1 is available now.