FIREBORN #1 (IMAGE COMICS)
The world of Henry Blackheart is expanding.
Aaron Hillburg’s life is changed forever when he’s bonded with an ancient dragon egg. It results in the young boy gaining great power. It is a shame he may not survive the responsibility it bears.
FIREBORN #1 by Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland, Mark Dale & Micah Myers (IMAGE COMICS) spins out of LOST FANTASY into a brand new adventure!
Let’s take a closer look at how this debut fares.
FIREBORN #1 by Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland, Mark Dale & Micah Myers (IMAGE COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Pires and Jonas make it very clear within the opening pages, this is not just another “superhero” story. When a robbery goes wrong, Hillburg comes off with an over-confident tone. Knowing he has the power to inflict “justice” takes over the pages. It is a stark contrast to where his journey began.
Readers watch as his life runs parallel with Edgard, a time rift traveler. Pacing kicks into high gear as Edgard runs from people who wants his special artifact, Hillburg’s routine is processing his fractured relationship with his father. This tone moves him through his daily routines. The mood is more somber as the young man stumbles in his travels. As soon as paths collide, destiny is sealed. The writing holds nothing back as he deals with his robbers. There are moments which show how Allen is not ready for this life. It continues to build to its’ closing image. There’s much to cypher through as Allen’s new life has only just begun.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Mulholland & Dale set up the initial sequence with a great build. Panels move Allen into his conflict with a calm lean. Readers never see him break from his stance. Dale’s coloring takes over as his transformation takes place. A sensational two page spread welcomes Fireborn into the story. It is easy to sense how things are about to go form bad to worse for his assailants. Before we get here, the story dives back into the past to connect all areas.
The art team runs a sequence of mirror timelines. Edgard’s trails feature his struggles to stay alive. The pages carry a fast speed as he does what’s needed to survive. Allen’s time goes much slower. Readers can sense the painful wounds he harbors inside. His rooftop jumps are the only times he feels “free”. Once worlds collide, the issue goes into a series of two-page spreads. Each carry a certain weight to Allen’s new stat quo. As the story gets back to present, a brutal display is spotlighted via two page splash. It kickstarts an intense run of action. This leads into a definitive finish with a great cliffhanger to what’s next. One hell of a visual experience.
FINAL GRADE: 9
The world of Allen Hillburg blazes onto the scene with an explosive debut you can’t miss. Pires and Jonas leave nothing to chance with a phenomenal script. Mulholland & Dale present a stunning visual experience in this opening round. This series will be blazing a new trail fans won’t want to miss!
Let me know your thoughts on FIREBORN #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
