LEVIATHAN FREEDOM #1 (COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS)
Robert Smalls is an American hero.
Born into slavery, he stood up to hate and oppression in an unwavering fashion. Smalls seized control of a Confederate warship & led the passengers (including his family) to Freedom. This move impacted one Abraham Lincoln very greatly. It became the catalyst for allowing African Americans soldiers to join the Union Army during the American Civil War.
In 2026, Smalls’ legacy comes to the comic & pop culture audience in an exciting new fashion. Blending a hero’s heart with sci-fi elements has created a story of finding courage in the face of insurmountable challanges.
LEVIATHAN FREEDOM #1 by Marc Guggenheim, Tom Morello, Szymon Kudrański & DC Hopkins (Comixology Originals) begins an all new re-envisioning of Small’s legacy.
Let’s take a deeper dive into this new series.
LEVIATHAN FREEDOM #1 by Marc Guggenheim, Tom Morello, Szymon Kudrański& DC Hopkins (Comixology Originals)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Guggenheim and Morello hit the ground running in establishing Smalls’ challenegs aboard the Leviathan. The writing shows how insignificant he and his fellow shipmates are. It creates an uneasy mood that only worsens when one member dies on the job. The aftermath doesn’t phase Captain Reylea. His tone is cold and emotionless as he gives Smalls his directives. Their conversation shows some tense points before moving into a more grounded state.
Readers watch as he talks with Anna about what he’s been tasked. Seeing how impactful the six hours of non-work time he is given, Smalls attempts to maximize every second. Once the talk moves to the Doldrums fighting back, Smalls shows some signs of hesitation in his voice. This feeling carries back into conversation with Abraham. Readers see how tempers are rising quickly. It is upended by a the ship’s arrival on a new planet. The arrival is not a smooth one. It leads to immediate conflict and more damage in waiting. This comes with unique results for Smalls & co. The aftermath teases a spark has been lit that a heart will never let burn out.
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Kudrański opens with Smalls working on the ship. His pain can be felt with a close-up of his eyes. This leads to a solid two page spread showing the dangerous working environment. Readers watch as one of the Doldrums perishes during their shift. The art captures the horrific act as the panel perspective falls further out of sight. Kudrański’s attention to detail with the ship is incredible. This moves to a brash stand-off between Smalls and his Captain. A tense place to transit to a personal sequence.
Small’s time with Anna and their kids comes with an emotional weight. The close-ups tell a story all their own. This moves Smalls to start seeing outside of his current role. As the ship progresses to its’ new destination, a two page spread leads into brief combat. Readers watch as the explosions come very fast and often. It leads into a bold two page spread. This sets up the final pages in a very good spot. Smalls’ assessment of the last ordeal leaves an impression with the audience. The final panel tips off much as change is slowly filling the air. Very impressive work.
FINAL GRADE: 9
A fantastic reimagining of a hero’s daring actions begins with an impressive first issue. Guggenheim and Morello incredibly unveil the start of Small’s courageous journey. Kudrański constructs impressive imagery of the tense living experiences on the LEVIATHAN. Buckle in for what is sure to be an unforgettable voyage of determination and hope.
Let me know your thoughts on LEVIATHAN FREEDOM #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
