When something inexplicable happened, it changed the world forever. What it left behind will change it even more. Your Major Spoilers review of Children of The Black Sun #1, awaits!

CHILDREN OF THE BLACK SUN #1

Writer: Dario Sicchio
Artist: Letizia Cadoniei
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Letterer: Ingegni
Editor: Kevin Ketner
Publisher: Ablaze Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 4th, 2023

Previously in Children of The Black Sun: Years ago the sun suddenly turned black and society was nearly torn apart, then it happened again, and the children who were conceived during those times were born differently.

WELCOME TO BRIGHTVALE

Children of The Black Sun #1 opens with a retelling of what happened the two times the sun turned black via a report from a student in an elementary school class named Christopher. During this retelling, we’re introduced to Matthew and Clem, two children who were conceived during the 2nd Black Sun. After school Matthew walks home and sees the town gearing up for a festival to commemorate the days the black suns rose. He goes home and explains to his mother that he tried to be kind in class but the kids were still distant. She then explains to him that people mistreat kids like him because they remind them of the horrible things that happened during the black suns. Afterward, Matthew leaves and finds Clem being accosted by a group of children and a homeless man who claimed she killed a dog. Matthew intervenes and then he and Clem are saved by a group of older Children of The Black Sun, who reveal that there is something special about them.

UNSETTLING AND CAPTIVATING

Children of The Black Sun #1 does an excellent job in setting the scene for this series. Its use of an in-world method of telling the backstory didn’t make it feel like a big info dump and also established some of the various opinions that are dictating the actions of the story. There’s also a good mix of straightforwardness and keeping cards close to the chest. For example, the over-the -top way that everyone seems to be focused on commemorating the days of the black sun and the other ways that characters believe they can stave off another black sun, shows that fear is a big motivator for these characters. While the nature of the children of the black sun themselves is left a bit more on the mysterious side. Some of the sexual themes that come up when the elder children of the black sun interact with the “normal” kids is unsettling and a bit difficult to read, but help establish that the paradigm is far more complex than a group of people being helplessly victimized.

ANGULAR AND SINISTER

The thing that struck me the most about the art here, is how sinister everyone looks. Whether it was intentional or not, most of the characters have very severe lines that make all their features come off as spike-like. Much of this comic feels like it was set in the music video for Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden, which would make sense, but it’s only speculation if that was the intent.

BOTTOM LINE: A STRONG HOOK FOR THE SERIES

Children of The Black Sun #1 is just about everything you want in the first issue of a new series. It doesn’t beat the reader over the head with backstory, it sets up the type of world it’s operating in, and manages to leave plenty to the imagination without being frustratingly opaque. Some of the subject matter though is unsettling and isn’t going to be for everyone. 4 out of 5 stars.

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.