BOOM Studios
Writers: Jeremy Haun & Jason Hurley
Artists: Jesús Hervás, Lea Caballero, and Brett Weldele
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
It’s always a relief when a piece of fiction appears familiar and then surprises the reader with a unique twist that makes the story feel like something new. In the case of The Approach #1, everything points to Jeremy Haun and Jason Hurley writing another science fiction story about a missing flight coming out of nowhere. By the last few panels though, it quickly becomes a body-horror tale.
Writers Haun and Hurley begin the story with a look at how protagonist Mac opens his day. Labored and tired of the weather, Mac learns that he will likely be stuck at the airport he is employed during a winter storm. Readers later meet his colleague Abigail. Both characters are emphasized through this debut issue, but neither really stands out as compelling just yet. Still, readers learn quite a bit about the two and their dynamics with each other, allowing for a small connection to be made.
Later, a commercial plane with passengers lands, discovering that they will be staying at the airport overnight. Shortly after, another plane crashes that has been missing for almost three decades. With it, comes the subject of their horror. It takes a while for everything to develop, but if the final few panels are any indication, this first issue isn’t a good representation of the pacing of future issues. This issue might be a slow burn, but it’s likely that things will become hectic soon.
The creative team is made up of Jesús Hervás, Lea Caballero, and Brett Weldele. Everyone does a solid job of creating an airport that feels lived in. The art is full of bold lines and dark lighting, which suits the horror atmosphere well. There is tons of detail in the characters in both their designs and expressions. The way they walk shows their emotions and fatigue, making this issue feel dynamic between the panels. The moments of horror are drawn well, with excellent framing that gives readers just the angle needed to feel unease.
Despite the rough pacing, The Approach #1 is an excellent start to a horror mini-series. Usually, slow starts aren’t ideal for minis, but the hook at the end of this issue mostly erases away all concerns. Things are going to get messy quickly, and fans of the genre will want to be a passenger on this trip.
The Approach #1
Like It
The Good
- An exciting twist
- Art that lends itself well to horror
The Bad
- The characters aren't yet interesting
- This issue feels quite slow