BABYLON COVE #1 (Mad Cave Studios)

Heather Hutchens is a young woman who is under appreciated at her job in NYC and has a bit of a main character syndrome going on. However, after the death of her father she must return home to the small New England town where she burned a ton of bridges. If this isn’t enough something strange and supernatural seems to be taking over the sleepy town of Babylon Cove as well.

Babylon Cove #1 - Written By Rafer Roberts – Drawn By Joe Eisma - Colors By Marissa Louise – Letters By Crank! - Edited By Ryan Carroll & James B. Emmett - Published By Mad Cave Studios

Credit: Mad Cave Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

Heather Hutchens is a career woman who is under appreciated by her boss at the NYC fashion magazine she works at. Although very driven you get the impression through her self-narration that she has a bit of a main character complex. Things go from bad to worse as she gets the news that her father has passed away and she must return to her hometown of Babylon Cove for the funeral. Upon her arrival home, a ton of the memories come flooding back and let’s say they aren’t all good. She quickly finds out that a bunch of her classmates are home as well, and they are all there for funerals as well. Something strange seems to be happening in the sleepy town of Babylon Cove. How will Heather navigate her past as well as whatever seems to be going on in the town?

WRITING:

The first issue gives the reader some great backstory as well as teasing where this series will go. Rafer Roberts really dives into Heather’s character and gives you a sense of who she is while also keeping some things a mystery to be discovered as we go along. There is a sense that we are not being told everything about her, which makes it so you don’t completely fall in love with her, but have a healthy suspense of what we will learn. Roberts also keeps the supernatural element of the story pretty vague which builds anticipation towards what we will discover next. This element really draws readers in and makes them want to read the next issue.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this first issue matches the story and gives the reader a good sense of Babylon Cove and Heather’s life. Joe Eisma shows the sleepy town with all of its splendor which goes a long way to build on the horrors that will be unleashed on it. The character designs match who the characters are and just by seeing them you understand how you should feel about them. Eisma also shows the supernatural elements very well, building suspense for what we will see in the future. The color scheme that Marissa Louise uses is bright and vibrant in the present, while more black and white with a splash of color for flashbacks. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the setting, well also drawing your eyes to the artwork.

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF RACER X #6

Final Thoughts:

Babylon Cove #1 is a very good first issue that draws you into this world instantly. The first issue gives the reader enough of a backstory to keep you engaged but keeps enough mysterious to hook you. I for one am very interested in seeing where this story goes and how it plays out. This is a first issue that you should grab and give a shot to while you’re at the shop this week. If you like it as much as I did, make sure to add it to your Pull List, so you don’t miss out on the story as it unfolds.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10

Let me know your thoughts on Babylon Cove #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!