WHITE ASH (S2) #1 – Review

WHITE ASH (S2) #1, available from Scout Comics on December 1st, 2021, follows Aleck as he comes to terms with his father’s death and the revelation about his people. Meanwhile, Lillian’s mistrust of Thane pushes her to take reckless actions.

The Details

• Written By: Charlie Stickney
• Art By: Conor Hughes
• Colors By: Fin Cramb
• Letters By: Conor Hughes
• Cover Art By: Conor Hughes
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Release Date: December 1, 2021

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Was It Good?

Wheesh! There’s a lot going on in this double-sized first issue, and I hope you’ve got your scorecard ready. WHITE ASH (S2) #1 picks up two months after the events of the first season, and it’s safe to say the status quo in White Ash is rapidly shifting. That’s a good thing. If the town had simply settled back into it’s original order, season two would have needed a whole new reason to shake things up. Thankfully, Stickney takes all the characters and pushes them along on their respective storylines in a first issue filled with more revelations, character growth, and world building.

If you’re thinking that sounds like a lot, you are correct. It is a lot. Depending on your point of view, it’s almost a little too much and, at times, the story veers a little too far into soap opera territory. That’s not wrong or a flaw, but if you like your comic stories clean and simple, you might struggle with this issue. But if you’re into love triangles, coal barrens with nefarious motives, a mysterious kidnapping, and secret family revelations blended together in a secluded town where elves, dwarves, and humans coexist, than this one is right up your alley.

As a whole, I like this comic. The matter-of-fact juxtaposition of mythical creatures set in a modern coal town is unique. All the characters have a distinctive charm about them, even the “evil” ones. And the admittedly complex story feels like it’s building toward something big. The writing execution is excellent, and I’m keenly interested to see what happens next.

The writing may be excellent, but it’s Hughes’ art that completely sells the charming tone of the issue. There’s a gee-golly wholesomeness about Aleck that shines through in his awkward demeanor when he gets around Lillian, and Lillian’s flirty charm captivates the reader (and Aleck) through her body language and side glances. This issue is an excellent example of art and writing enhancing each to offer something greater than the sum of its parts.

What’s It About?

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

There’s too much to cover in one review, so we’ll cover the highlights.

Katlyn decides to tell Aleck how she feels about him. Unfortunately, she never gets the chance and her awkward attempts to get Aleck alone for “the talk” become a running gag throughout the issue. Meanwhile, Orman and Cob also need to talk to Aleck for an important reason, and their attempts to get Aleck’s attention also turn into a running gag (but not a funny one) throughout the issue.

Lillian is reportedly under constant surveillance back at Thane’s compound, but she finds a way to sneak out at night to hunt Brood. Her night hunts are spurred by her mistrust of Thane to do the right thing to protect the town, and it gives her an excuse to meet up with Aleck at night. Elsewhere, Sheriff Gregson continues to investigate the kidnapping of Ms. Morrigan. His investigation, with his daughter in tow, brings him before an assortment of colorful characters around town, including Thane.

During one of Lillian and Aleck’s night hunts, they find what they were looking for but only too late for some local campers. We conclude the issue with the revelation that Lillian’s secret time away from the compound has consequences, an explanation as to why the elf and dwarf populations are so small, and Aleck getting some big news from Orman and Cob.

Final Thoughts

WHITE ASH (S2) #1 is a rich, complex tapestry of plot threads about a town going through upheaval. All the characters have their unique charms and secrets to hide, which makes for an issue that gives the best of daytime soap operas a run for its money. While the soap operatic storytelling gives readers plenty of juicy twists and turns to chew on, it can be overwhelming at times to keep it all straight. If you’re of a mind to dig deep, you’ll be rewarded with an engaging story enhanced by stellar art.

Score: 9.5/10

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