Early Comic Book Review: Gideon Falls #1

·         Jeff Lemire (writer)

·         Andrea Sorrentino (artist)

·         Dave Stewart (colorist)

·         Steve Wands (letterer)

"A brand-new ongoing series from the acclaimed bestselling creative team of Old Man Logan and Green Arrow! The lives of a reclusive young man obsessed with a conspiracy in the city’s trash, and a washed-up Catholic priest arriving in a small town full of dark secrets, become intertwined around the mysterious legend of The Black Barn, an otherworldly building that is alleged to have appeared in both the city and the small town, throughout history, bringing death and madness in its wake. Rural mystery and urban horror collide in this character-driven meditation on obsession, mental illness, and faith."

Writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino, a.k.a. the dynamic duo behind Green Arrow and Old Man Logan, are once again teaming up and they’re building something completely new over at Image Comics. Joined by colorist Dave Stewart (Rumble, Black Hammer) and letterer Steve Wands (Descender, Batman), Lemire and Sorrentino once again prove that they’re a creative team with great chemistry and their work should always be added to your pull list.

A good mystery should keep a tight grip on your attention and leave you guessing. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Gideon Falls #1 does. When it comes to the big picture, things aren’t blatantly spelled out or obviously telegraphed for us. When information does need to be presented to us, it’s done in an organic way, like a therapy session. For now, the story’s big on leaving us mostly in the dark and giving us just the bare minimum while raising some big questions, and that’s perfect for the first chapter of a horror-mystery story. I have no idea what to expect from this series, but I do know that it leaves me wanting more. That should say a lot about how the story’s handled.

Visually, this book yanks you right into its mysterious world. The character work and environments are perfect for Lemire’s script because they’re shrouded in darkness and the establishing shots effectively bring you into each new scene. Brightness is used sparingly to divert our focus or create a striking contrast, creating visuals that’ll linger in your mind. Sorrentino’s known for his jaw-dropping layouts and perspectives and Gideon Falls does not disappoint – the guy sure knows how to lead our eyes and give these panels some life.

After reading Gideon Falls #1 twice, its themes are (apparently) clear but I still have no idea what to expect and that’s exactly how a good mystery should be. Thanks to a strong script and visuals that are a perfect fit for the story’s atmosphere, the first chapter of Gideon Falls manages to be gripping without giving away too much. I’m definitely locked in for the second issue and I give this a strong recommendation to anyone who’s a fan of the creative team or craving a new mystery.

Gideon Falls #1 will be available on March 7, 2018. Obviously, I think you should pick it up. See below for a preview of the first issue. Please be sure to follow me on Twitter for more Comic Book Conversations updates!