For any fellow, insect-averse readers out there: I know this might be hard to believe, and I know the first thing you see when you look at the cover for Resonant #1 are the bugs, and it’s probably not making you want to go out and buy the issue (never mind how wicked indigo and lime green look together) but I promise you, one bug-avoider to another, it’s worth giving these bugs the benefit of the debt.

While often a sign of the plague, or some scheme to gross readers out, chirpers aren’t the enemy – they’re what will save your life. Bec lives with her father and two younger brothers in the woods. Isolated but beautiful, Jason Wordie’s colors take what could’ve been an Evil Dead log cabin and make it an oasis, with wonderful, modern details like solar panels on the roof by artist, Alejandro Aragon.

Writer, David Andry, never brings up where the story’s supposed to take place, but between yellowy green trees and crystal blue skies, it’s a location that doesn’t set off alarm bells. Instead the alarm comes courtesy of the bugs, whose chirping is a warning that another Wave is coming (Wordie’s colors also get very emotional in times of danger. Every brush stroke is pronounced and it’s like a child scribbling their feelings out on the page).

Since reading the issue I’ve come across some articles that go into more detail about what the Waves are, but Andry provides enough clues so that while you might not be 100% sure what’s going on (especially in regards to certain safety measures that the family takes), you’re starting to get an idea of what these Waves might be about and it’s terrifying. The way Deron Bennett does the lettering during the Waves it’s like an eraser starting to eat at the letters, and what does that feel like, for the person whose words are being erased?

It’s the threat of these Waves that makes Bec’s father’s departure at the beginning of the issue so tense. Other than that he’s going for help, we’re not told anything more specific [the solicitation text tells us why], but Bec at least seems to understand why it’s urgent and you only need to spend a little time with their father to know he wouldn’t be leaving if it wasn’t necessary.

One of the best decisions this series makes is to split the narrative. It’s easy to imagine a version of this story where Bec’s father’s exit takes him out of the picture but even though they’re separated, this is still a series about a family. That means switching back and forth between what the kids are doing and how their father’s making out.  

If Bec is an early favorite, it’s because Aragon draws her with so much strength. While the revelation that she has one leg comes as a shock, that’s only because it’s unexpected. Bec is a bona fide action hero, and her decisiveness during times of crisis is breathtaking to watch.

Resonant #1 goes on sale July 17^th from Vault Comics. Be careful about relying on the cover for this one. It didn’t speak to me but this issue did.

For any fellow, insect-averse readers out there: I know this might be hard to believe, and I know the first thing you see when you look at the cover for Resonant #1 are the bugs, and it’s probably not making you want to go out and buy the issue (never mind how wicked indigo and lime green look together) but I promise you, one bug-avoider to another, it’s worth giving these bugs the benefit of the debt.

While often a sign of the plague, or some scheme to gross readers out, chirpers aren’t the enemy – they’re what will save your life. Bec lives with her father and two younger brothers in the woods. Isolated but beautiful, Jason Wordie’s colors take what could’ve been an Evil Dead log cabin and make it an oasis, with wonderful, modern details like solar panels on the roof by artist, Alejandro Aragon.

Writer, David Andry, never brings up where the story’s supposed to take place, but between yellowy green trees and crystal blue skies, it’s a location that doesn’t set off alarm bells. Instead the alarm comes courtesy of the bugs, whose chirping is a warning that another Wave is coming (Wordie’s colors also get very emotional in times of danger. Every brush stroke is pronounced and it’s like a child scribbling their feelings out on the page).

Since reading the issue I’ve come across some articles that go into more detail about what the Waves are, but Andry provides enough clues so that while you might not be 100% sure what’s going on (especially in regards to certain safety measures that the family takes), you’re starting to get an idea of what these Waves might be about and it’s terrifying. The way Deron Bennett does the lettering during the Waves it’s like an eraser starting to eat at the letters, and what does that feel like, for the person whose words are being erased?

It’s the threat of these Waves that makes Bec’s father’s departure at the beginning of the issue so tense. Other than that he’s going for help, we’re not told anything more specific [the solicitation text tells us why], but Bec at least seems to understand why it’s urgent and you only need to spend a little time with their father to know he wouldn’t be leaving if it wasn’t necessary.

One of the best decisions this series makes is to split the narrative. It’s easy to imagine a version of this story where Bec’s father’s exit takes him out of the picture but even though they’re separated, this is still a series about a family. That means switching back and forth between what the kids are doing and how their father’s making out.  

If Bec is an early favorite, it’s because Aragon draws her with so much strength. While the revelation that she has one leg comes as a shock, that’s only because it’s unexpected. Bec is a bona fide action hero, and her decisiveness during times of crisis is breathtaking to watch.

Resonant #1 goes on sale July 17^th from Vault Comics. Be careful about relying on the cover for this one. It didn’t speak to me but this issue did.