Comic Review: Fox and Hare #1

Publisher: Vault Comics

Writer: Jon Tsuei

Artists: Stacey Lee & Raul Angulo

Letterer: Jim Campbell

Vault Comics as a publisher has been on a hot streak lately, releasing waves of fantastic science fiction and fantasy over the last couple of years. In fact, there isn’t a single ongoing series by the publisher that’s a miss. It seems this streak will continue with Fox and Hare, but the debut issue written by Jon Tsuei, drawn by Stacey Lee, colored by Raul Angula, and lettered by Jim Campbell isn’t without its flaws. 

Fox and Hare #1 opens with a flashback featuring the titular characters as they stand alone in the rain, wondering if they have been abandoned. Now, the two adult characters seem to act as vigilantes in a futuristic city run by a malicious corporation. During a job, they run into Aurura, a hacker who has scorned the corporation and needs to rely on the Fox and the Hare for survival. 

The premise is familiar and interesting, but the execution is a little sloppy. Tsuei has some intriguing characters, but the dialogue throughout the issue feels stiff. The exposition also isn’t presented naturally, with characters essentially explaining to the reader what is going. Using dialogue as a vehicle to get the reader up to speed is fine, but the way its presented here just feels clunky. The pacing throughout the issue is fine, moving at a speed that allows the reader to get enough information to keep them invested.

This is somewhat countered by the lackluster action, which just doesn’t excite enough. There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with how its written or drawn, but everything feels a little too generic. Stacey Lee does a great job of making the action easy to follow, with solid sequential art throughout the issue. Raul Angulo makes great use of colors to force tones and feelings onto the panels, making the action have a little more urgency. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough to make Fox and Hare’s big action scene gripping. 

Still, the issue looks nice throughout, Stacey Lee has a soft style with animated and expressive faces. Between Lee’s art and Angulo’s colors, none of the panels are too busy, making this a quick read, which once again helps with the story’s pace. Readers won’t find any giant solace pages that showcase the setting, but the city around the characters is still full of life.

Letterer Jim Campbell’s work throughout this issue is solid. The lettering choices feel small, such as a gray font for whispering characters, but it adds just enough to give the characters unique voices and tones. 

It’s not an astounding debut, but Fox and Hare #1 gives readers just enough to show that it has potential. With some of the clunky exposition out of the way, this series may now have room to breathe and give readers something special.