Knull #1 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the FIRST issue of Knull from Marvel Comics!
The King in black is BACK! After the shocking events that took place in Venom #250 back in October it’s time to follow up with what Knull is going to do. He’s lost his powers, and now none other than Hela herself has them! Plus she has Knull captured and in a cage! So just what is he going to do to get out of it? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Al Ewing & Tom Waltz (Writers), Juanan Ramirez (Artist), Erick Arciniega (Color Artist), VC’s Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Ryan Stegman & Frank Martin (Cover) is an incredible start to the series that is sure to have everyone talking.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Al Ewing & Tom Waltz did an incredible job with the story in this issue and getting me hooked right from this issue. Back when I read Venom #250, I thought it was a wild twist to see Knull imprisoned & Hela in charge of his powers. But I wasn’t hooked on it. This issue has me sold on whatever route Ewing & Waltz are going to take and I’m fully on board for the ride.
The issue starts off with a bit of backstory for just who Knull is and how he came to be. It was a good explanation for me, because while I’m aware of Knull and some minor details of him I don’t know everything and I’m a little ignorant in other areas. From there it moves to his present status as Hela’s prisoner.
It’s a very compelling story cause neither side is playing checkers, and they sure aren’t playing chess. Seeing both Knull & Hela scheme against each other with some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read makes this issue must read material. This issue is one of the most interesting starts to a series I’ve ever read and has me really wondering where this is going to go, because I have no idea. What I do know is that the ending is one of the craziest I’ve ever seen.
The ending isn’t totally surprising. There’s one aspect to it that makes sense, because we are dealing with Knull after all. So to see what he does, that was 100% expected by me. What wasn’t expected was the counter move that Hela makes in response. Her response I did NOT see coming and I am supremely interested to see where it goes and how this develops. Because you don’t go this route for a simple one off appearance, this is going to have larger implications for the Marvel universe.
The Artwork
Juanan Ramirez & Erick Arciniega really did a great job with the artwork in the issue. They gave it a look unlike anything I’ve seen in recent history, and made it so uniquely their own. I love the overall dark tone they went with, because this isn’t going to be the happy go lucky book. It’s dealing with some seriously evil forces and the artwork really does a great job conveying the tone of the story.
FINAL POINT: Al Ewing & Tom Waltz have started off this series with a serious bang that is sure to have everyone talking. Together with artwork that is simply superb, this is an issue (and a series) you cannot miss out on!
Overall Grade: 10/10
Thank you for taking the time to check out my review. Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter, and let me know what you thought of the issue!
