Sometimes, your problems start to mount up and the only possible response is to start your own band! Your Major Spoilers review of We Are The Danger #1 awaits!
WE ARE THE DANGER #1
Writer: Fabian Lelay
Artist: Fabian Lelay
Colorist: Claudia Aguirre
Letterer: Taylor Exposito
Editor: Stephanie Cooke
Publisher: Black Mask Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 30, 2018
Previously in We Are The Danger: Starting as the new girl in your senior year of high school is never easy, and Julie Malliari is having a terrible first day — until she meets Tabitha. After a night out at a rock show, their friendship quickly grows and, before they know it, the two form a band with their sights set on a record deal… They just need to win it in a nationwide Battle of the Bands competition!
FAST PACED AND WELL-DRAWN
We open at a club, with everyone staring (at the camera, showing us the POV of our main character, a really nicely done panel) as Julie enters, feeling awkward and out of place. She has come to watch a show with her friend Tabitha, only to discover that Tabitha isn’t WATCHING the band, but performing in it. And she’s good! Sadly, her relationship with the lead singer, Logan, isn’t as good as her drumming, and Julie gets to watch awkwardly as Tabitha quits/is thrown out of the band. Things move quickly from there, as Tabitha and Julie bond over music, Julie shows her own musical talent and they decide to form their own group. This development allows us to meet our cast one at a time, while allowing Logan to be a big jerk and swear that they’ll never take the stage while she has anything to say about it.
IT’S HARD TO DO MUSIC IN COMICS
There are a lot of easy parallels for this comic (it has little bits reminiscent of the Riverdale gang, as well as an overt reference to Jem and the Holograms), but I have to say it carves out a unique place all its own, even with some familiar story beats. I like how fast it all moves, feeling for all the world like the reader is the new kid in the new school, with everything swirling around you as try to catch up. The art is really fun, with nice attention to the design of the characters. A full-page shot of the band practicing with Julie throwing everything into her vocals is really wonderful, and Lelay shows a mastery of facial expressions. Best of all, there are a couple of really clever workarounds in the storytelling to get past the lack of sound in the comic medium, including Julie singing with the page design emulating a demo cassette tape.
BOTTOM LINE: A CHARMING FIRST ISSUE
In short, this book got my attention and held it on sheer charisma, delivering an engaging first issue experience that makes me want to come back for more. We Are The Danger #1 is a fun ride, with energetic and emotionally engaging art and a fun, fast story, earning a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars overall. Black Mask has a winner on their hands with this book.
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