In DJINN HUNTER #1, available from Blackbox Comics on July 28th, 2021, the Elder Djinn’s hold the balance of power between realms. When one of the Elders stages a rebellion, the remaining Djinns must call on another rogue to stop him.
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The Details
- Written By: Jay Sandlin
- Art By: Fabrizio Cosentino
- Colors By: Fabrizio Cosentino
- Letters By: Fabrizio Cosentino
- Cover Art By: Fabrizio Cosentino
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: July 28, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes, it was good.
Introducing a new character with a whole new world is no small feat, and Sandlin nails the tone and the setup to pull the reader in with sharp dialog and expert pacing.
Above and beyond the technical execution of Sandlin’s writing is the story itself. This world (or Universe or Realms or whatever it is) feels lived in. The characters interact with a clear sense of history, and this world of magic establishes the ground rules of how magic works (a necessary component of every fantasy story) without resorting to pages of narration and exposition. The rules are established through telling the story, and that’s how it should be done.
The other high point of Sandlin’s writing is the character work. Right from the jump, this comic introduces readers to eight separate characters. Yet, each character has their own voice and personality, making each recognizable in their own way. To be fair, the distinctions are helped along by cool color coding of the lettering and phenomenal artwork, but Sandlin stands out for juggling a small squad without any one character getting lost in the crowd.
Cosentino‘s art is a hit in this first issue. The character designs are original, the coloring dares you to look away, and the (admittedly small amount) of action is full of energy. However, the one minor down point on the art is the inconsistency of depth in panels with multiple panels. Sometimes the characters in the foreground are smaller and look further away than characters in the background. It’s not enough of a down to detract from the story but it’s visually confusing in a few spots.
Overall, Blackbox couldn’t hope for a better first issue of a magical adventure series. There’s certainly enough goodness to recommend readers pick it up and stick around for the next issue.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Zara is a (former) Magehound currently imprisoned for betraying the council of Elder Djinns. Early into her sentence, the Council summons Zara with an offer of parole (or at least a reduced sentence) in exchange for the use of her unique talents.
One of the Council members, Abyss, has gone rogue and attempted a rebellion to overthrow the Council, primarily in opposition to the Council’s rules about serving humanity. Grudgingly, Zara agrees but only in exchange for a reduced sentence and a promise of protection for the Sorceress, Samira. Zara’s relationship with Samira and her refusal to turn Samira over to the Council resulted in her imprisonment in the first place.
Zara goes off to find Abyss, accompanied by a phoenix as her handler. That’s when the fun and games really begin.
Final Thoughts
DJINN HUNTER #1 wastes no time building an entire world of characters and conflicts through expert storytelling and eye-catching art. This is a recommended pick for anyone looking for a fresh take on a fantasy adventure.
Score: 9/10
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