Comic Review: Dragonstorm #1 / Author: Jaydee Rosario / Illustrator: Joel Cotejar, Craig Shepard / Publisher: Unstoppable Comics / Release Date: Out Now
Dragonstorm is the new superhero title by independent publishing company Unstoppable comics.
From the start we are introduced to the main baddie, Balagron, and given a taste of just how evil he can be when he kills his son for failing to train his granddaughter, Lillian, in an appropriate way. This is arguably the best scene of the first issue as it plays out with touches of realism in an otherwise fantastical scenario. The ill-fated mother, for example, is kind of curious as to why Balagron has turned up in a costume for dinner. The son when faced with the inevitability of his fate doesn’t run from it, he knows it pointless, and so wishes Balagron a fate worse than death. From there we’re introduced to granddaughter, Lyllian, whom all this fuss is about and in turn the titular hero of the piece, Dragonstorm.
The artwork on Dragonstorm is covered by two artists and while this can cause major problems with style clashes and unfavourable art comparisons, thankfully the transition between Joel Cotejar (pages 1-9) and Craig Shepard (pages 10-22) is relatively smooth and for the most part unnoticed.
Conceptually, the setup is sound. Dragonstorm is set to be Lyllian’s new mentor in a Batman and Robin take with a twist. Lyllian, clearly still in shock from her parent’s untimely demise, neither wants nor appreciates a new father figure in her life and one gets the impression that Dragonstorm could do without a ward. There’s scope for great characterisation here and perhaps even the odd comical moment from time to time.
Plot-wise we’re given a taste of what’s going on, but too many questions are left unanswered. There’s a rushed feel in the later half, perhaps intentionally so – it’s primarily a fight and escape scene. Characters don’t quite get the depth they need to stand out. Dragonstorm’s origin and back-story are left untouched and the reader given very little to go on. But these are minor nits in what is otherwise a solid read.
