AIN’T NO GRAVE #1, by Image Comics on 5/8/24, begins a supernatural Western tale about a former bandit who aims to turn back the inevitable hands of Fate and Death.
Credits:
- Writer: Skottie Young
- Artist: Jorge Corona
- Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
- Letterer: Nate Piekos
- Cover Artist: Jorge Corona
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: May 8, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $5.99
- Page Count: 52
- Format: Double-Sized Issue
Covers:
Analysis of AIN’T NO GRAVE #1:
Plot Analysis:
Well, bless my soul. Ain’t No Grave #1 is an unexpected treat. Steeped in the Western tropes of the unnamed gunman, Young turns the familiar tale on its head when the reformed outlaw is motivated to hunt down a different kind of prey.
Young’s story begins with Ryder, a former outlaw who wanders the desert wilderness in search of a hard-to-find destination. She encounters a broken-down wagon that could contain supplies, but all she finds is a little girl and a mother willing to kill to protect her child.
The encounter forces Ryder to recall her husband and daughter, whom she loves dearly. Sadly, that love is in jeopardy when a long sickness quickly begins to overtake Ryder’s body. A visit from the town doctor confirms Ryder’s life will soon end. Rather than take death quietly, Ryder decides to fight.
Now, Ryder moves on from the mother and daughter to continue her long trek through the wilderness. On a moonlit night, she encounters the spirits of the dead as they move to the nearby river, called by a mysterious man called the Beacon. His summoning threatens to drag Ryder to the Great Beyond with the rest, and she nearly drowns when the spirits pull her into their wake. Later, Ryder awakes on the river’s edge, unsure if it was all a dream.
Days pass. Ryder eventually reaches her destination – a town nestled between impassable cliffs and guarded by an ever-watchful figure who demands a special toll for safe passage. When the toll is paid, the guardian is shocked to learn Ryder’s intentions.
Character Development:
Skottie Young’s mix of classic Old West atmosphere with a supernatural twist is amazingly embodied in Ryder as a character with a storied life who has seen things most people wouldn’t believe. Ryder’s actions and few words carry tremendous weight when she refuses to accept the fate in store for her and chooses to enact a plan with uncertain consequences. She’s a gunslinger with inspiring determination, courage, and heart.
Artwork and Presentation:
Jorge Corona’s art is mesmerizing. There are comics when stylistic character exaggeration can look out of place, even goofy. Here, Corona’s exaggerated details, such as Ryder’s long-pointed boots and oversized lapels, give her thin, feminine frame an imposing silhouette that reflects her dangerous personality. Ryder’s overly-full hair echoes the windswept wildness of a person who survived in the wilderness for more years than anyone should. Corona’s art is fantastic.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
As noted in the credits, this is a double-sized issue, but it reads with a breezy pace. Whole pages fly by because nothing needs to be said when Ryder and her horse travel by mountainous vistas and lonely plains on the way to Cypress. For a double-sized issue, Ain’t No Grave #1 reads faster than most single issues.
In terms of structure, Young unfolds the magic of Ryder’s journey perfectly. Without spoiling the details of the cliffhanger, Ryder is on a path to do a thing because her life and the love of her family are at stake. It’s a simple, clean plot with heaps of atmosphere to make it stand out.
Thematic Exploration:
Without saying too much to spoil the cliffhanger, the overarching theme is a knight’s quest to kill the metaphorical dragon. Ryder appears set to take on an impossible challenge, but it’s safe to say the curiosity over how it will play out is sky-high.
Final Thoughts:
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AIN’T NO GRAVE #1 is a mesmerizing tale about a former gunslinger who sets out on a quest to save herself and her family. Mixing Western tropes with fantasy elements is nothing new, but Skottie Young intermingles the genres with heart, atmosphere, and whimsy. As a bonus, Jorge Corona’s art is phenomenal.
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