Posted in: Comics, Image, Review | Tagged: antonion fabela, image comics, Joe Henderson, lee garbett, sci-fi, Skyward

Skyward #1 Review: Exhilarating and Unique

20 years ago, the gravity of Earth suddenly disappeared. This was predicted by Willa's father, and her mother died on the day. Now, Willa is a delivery woman in a world with no gravity. It's a dangerous job, but she is good at it and enjoys the role. Her father still obsesses over the day, and it haunts him.

Skyward is an impressively constructed opening issue for the series. In one issue, this book establishes the lack of gravity, the actuality of the threat it presents, our protagonist, and most of how the world works. It does so with a free-flowing ease that fits the protagonist and the literal weightlessness of the world.

The book is fun, and it's paced very well. Willa is an immediately charming and likable protagonist. She's a risk-taker with aspirations. This one may just be me, admittedly, but the natural human wariness of heights makes the inverse possibility of literally drowning in the sky sparks something of an unease in me. The story and the art illicit this; I'm not sure if it will do it for everyone though.

There are some drawbacks. I'm not sure 20 years will erase the entirety of human history being attached to the ground. The first issue doesn't establish everything about how the world works. I'm not sure if there is a government. Also, there are some scientific points which don't really bother me, but I'm sure others may be able to pick out. Case in point, I'm decently sure our atmosphere would be gone too.

Lee Garbett's art captures the aforementioned free-flowing spirit with ease. There is a kinetic energy to it all, and the aesthetic is detailed but enjoyably stylized. The characters have distinct visual details, and the overall look is just gorgeous. Antonio Fabela's color art is bright and well-contrasted. The world just looks fun, if that makes sense.

Skyward #1 is a well-rounded and exciting introductory issue to the series. The concept is weird, but the comic bears it well. Willa is a likable protagonist. Garbett and Fabela provide some great artwork. This comic earns a strong recommendation. Give it a read.

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