THE BOX #1 – Review

In THE BOX #1, available from Red 5 Comics on August 18th, 2021, the keeper of a magical box that can conjure anything you wish is on the hunt for a professor with answers and on the run from killers who want the box for themselves.

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The Details

• Written By: Joshua Starnes
• Art By: Raymond Estrada
• Colors By: Steven Dellasalla
• Letters By: Dave Lanphear
• Cover Art By: Raymon Estrada
• Cover Price: $3.95
• Release Date: Augues 18, 2021

Was It Good?

This is my first exposure to this series. Even though it’s a #1, this is a continuation from a previous arc, so there’s a little catching up to do.

That said, there are parts I liked and some parts that could be a little better. In short, a mixed bag.

The story starts slow as the protagonist, Leo, has conversations with police, his “girlfriend” currently in jail, and doing a lot of legwork and research. All while carrying around a wooden box about the size of a shoebox. About midway through, the story picks up once you start to see the box in action. “Give me more of this,” I say as Leo finds creative ways to use the box to get out of sticky situations.

The story has, frankly, a boring first half and an engaging second half.

To be fair, the story is well-written during the first half, especially the dialog, but it mostly comprises Leo butting heads with the police.

The art is also hit-or-miss depending on your tastes. As you can see from the preview images in this review, Estrada uses a textured, blotchy ink style that focuses less on anatomical consistency and more on impressionism. You may like it or not, but it definitely isn’t “clean” or detailed.

In all, a story about an average joe who possesses a magical box, on the run from nefarious forces, is a cool concept. If the series gets a little more balanced with storytelling, this could be a keeper going forward.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

A lecturing professor with an obsession with the historical and symbolic importance of special boxes is kidnapped. His captors are keenly interested in locating the box currently kept by Leo Bloom.

Leo is visiting his girlfriend in prison when he’s called to speak to the police looking for the missing professor. The police know about the box and assume a missing professor with a box obsession has to be related to Leo somehow. Leo is less than cooperative after the events of the previous arc, so the police detain him until they get more information.

The fun and games begin when Leo uses the box to escape police custody, causing some chaos while leaving the police station. Leo begins some private detecting of his own and finds the professor’s apartment where a second box is waiting for him. When the two boxes get close two each other, the new box begins to act violently enough to try and kill Leo. he manages to escape with his box, but there’s more to the professor than he thought.

We conclude the issue with a research discovery, the professor’s worst fears come true, and a demand Leo may not be able to refuse.

Final Thoughts

THE BOX #1 is a promising start to an urban fantasy about a magic box. Despite the uneven story and stylized art, this arc has the potential for imaginative fun and games.

Score: 7.5/10