STEAMPUNK SNOW WHITE #1, from Second Sight Publishing on March 16th, 2022, follows a young Princess as she takes up arms against the wicked Queen overwhelming the starving peasants with taxes and oppression.
The Details
- Written By: Rod Espinosa
- Art By: Rod Espinosa
- Colors By: Rod Espinosa
- Letters By: Rod Espinosa
- Cover Art By: Rod Espinosa
- Cover Price: $1.99
- Release Date: March 16, 2022
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Was It Good?
STEAMPUNK SNOW WHITE #1 is an above-average reimaging of the classic Snow White fairytale about a young princess who secretly takes up arms against the Queen’s forces as they oppress the people of her land. The best part of this successful reimagining is how well it surprises you on two fronts.
First, it integrates the steampunk elements subtly. The mechanisms are present in small accessories for practical purposes and as large machines for military operations. Sometimes, steampunk aesthetics can be overdone to the point where they no longer feel practical. Here, the steampunk elements are present but organically integrated into the time period of the story.
Second, this is a reimagining of Snow White’s story but there are heavy elements of the Robin Hood legend that makes this story feel like a creative mashup of legends. The mashup works exceptionally well. In other words, Espinosa succeeded in taking three well-worn territories (Snow White, Robin Hood, Steampunk) and blending them together to create something fresh and original.
Of course, the designs are essential to capturing an authentic steampunk aesthetic. In this version, Espinosa, again, maintains a largely period-accurate collection of costume designs while adding little steampunk flourishes for a unique twist. The net result feels like something set in the Full Metal Alchemist universe, and it’s eye-catching.
The minor down point in the art is the use of digital coloring and digital pencils. You can just see some pixelation and it makes the panels look a little flat. It’s not a huge down point, but it is noticeable.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a royal advisor meeting where the Queen has declared a tax increase on the peasants to pay for her military conquests. The young princess objects but she’s summarily dismissed. As the advisors talk, they inform the Queen of a bandit, referred to by the peasants as the Lone Fox, attacking the supply shipments.
Later, the tax collectors are shown taking everything from the peasants and jailing anyone who can’t pay. Suddenly, a masked bandit attacks the tax collector and his guards. Warned by the Queen’s advisors, the guards cast a net trap to capture the Lone Fox. Before they can subdue him, a new threat leaps from the woods – a young lady dressed in white and skillfully brandishing a sword. She frees Lone Fox and drives off the tax collector.
Before he can say a proper thank you, the Lone Fox catches his new ally, named “Snow”, as she succumbs to a poison dart fired by one of the tax collector’s fleeing guards. We conclude the issue with a night of deep sleep, a conflicted mentor, and voluntary exile.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
STEAMPUNK SNOW WHITE #1 is one of the better re-imaginings of the Snow White legend. The art looks great despite the flat digital finish. The major plot points are still present, and the creator successfully works in a subtle steampunk aesthetic with plot points from other legends for a finished work that’s wholly original.
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