Boom! Studios has been throwing its best new comics publisher status (as Wizard magazine sees it) on its covers, and when I see superlatives such as that, I'm reminded of how I feel about Marvel billing Fantastic Four as "the world's greatest comic magazine." But strange efforts such as this one make it easy to see why the industry mag picked Boom! for the honor. Though I feel far too many have mined H.G. Wells's now-public-domain novel for far too long, I can't help but admit that writer Michael Alan Nelson has done a superb job of setting the stage for a story set in the aftermath of the initial Martian invasion. Strong narration brings out the strong sense of character the writer has in mind, and the art brings the story to life capably, without resorting to gory detail.
The Martians are invading, sending the general populace into a state of panic. The military tries to stem the devastating tide of alien death machines, but to little avail. In the midst of all the chaos in suburban America, a husband hides his wife in the basement of their home in an effort to keep her safe while he rushes out to get the car ready for their escape. Things don't go exactly according to plan, though, as the scared, average man finds himself swept up in destruction, desperation and death.
Chee's art could be described as conventional and ordinary, but his traditional approach does an above-average job of conveying the larger-than-life insanity of the circumstances. I also like how he captures the open, peaceful nature of a quiet middle-class American community. The danger and devastation really upset that serenity that's established earlier in the issue. While Chee's line art boasts a simpler quality, the colors add texture to the visuals. The realism and intensity actually arises from the strong detail to be found as a result of the colors.
Now, the cover of this book proclaims the title to be War of the Worlds: Second Wave; the indicia inside indicates otherwise. But as the final splash page establishes, this series really is about what happens after the Martians' devastating but ultimately failed first offensive on Earth. This debut issue -- which just sets up the premise of the series -- really reads more like a zero issue than the first chapter of a new ongoing title.
This opening salvo is quite accessible and purposefully focused on the smallest corner of the alien conflict. It allows the writers to develop character and explore the emotional impact of the war as opposed to the physical and infrastructural effects it has. My hope -- and expectation -- is that the emotional side won't be the only aspect the writer explores in this series. I'd also be interested in the sociological extrapolations that could serve as fodder for the story as well. 7/10
