The New World #1
Image Comics
Writer: Aleš Kot
Artist: Tradd Moore
In this new miniseries appropriately titled The New World, Aleš Kot explores a futuristic America that has experienced nuclear devastation and a second Civil War. The former United States as we know it is no more, and now the country is divided into four large territories: No Man’s Land, The New California, The United States of East Americas, and The Union of Federations.
The story picks up a few decades after the second Civil War in the “New Los Angeles,” where the most popular television show around the world is “The Guardians,” a live broadcast of the eponymous Guardians as they take down criminals and then either spare or kill their targets based on votes submitted by viewers. One of the main characters we follow in this issue is Stella Maris, the second most popular Guardian around and the only one who never kills her targets regardless of the final vote. The other main character of the story is hacker and revolutionary Kirby Shakaku Miyazaki, who is directly opposed to the government Stella serves and eventually becomes Stella’s next target. Which wouldn’t be so bad if not for the fact that the two of them hooked up the night before. The issue is full of political themes, and while at times it does feel very in-your-face about some of the messages it’s trying to get across the ideas Kot explores through the world he’s crafted are very interesting and engaging. Plus, the political aspect of the story is essential to both of our protagonists’ characters, as each of them exists on opposite sides of the law.
The world Kot has created is like our own in many ways, but at the same time, it’s vastly different. The architecture of some buildings looks like a home you might find in Los Angeles today, but then other times they look like they’re straight out of Star Trek. There’s advanced technology like cameras within the eyes of the Guardians that displays their actions to the world, but people still take the bus throughout the city. The writing overall is solid, and the plot so far is really interesting and engaging, but some of the dialogue (especially the meme references) is a little cringey, at least in my opinion. However, when the dialogue is working it really works, and each character feels like they have their own unique voice and style.
Tradd Moore is one of my favorite artists ever since Luther Strode, and his style of art really fleshes out the world in a way not many others could accomplish. While Moore is an artist I’m used to seeing draw scenes of immense violence, which he does very well (and which we do get a small taste of in this issue), he is also able to draw great cityscapes and lively characters. The New World is Heather Moore’s inaugural series as a colorist, but you would think she’s been in the business for years with how well her colors bring to life her husband’s linework. The duo really complements each other well and create some truly terrific panels for us to enjoy.
This is a great first issue, and at 60 pages is a hefty introduction to the five-part miniseries. Hopefully, Kot and Moore can continue expanding upon this world they’ve created and deliver an enjoyable and memorable read in the issues to come.
The New World #1
This is a great first issue, and at 60 pages is a hefty introduction to the five-part miniseries. Hopefully, Kot and Moore can continue expanding upon this world they’ve created and deliver an enjoyable and memorable read in the issues to come.
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Characters
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Art