Copperhead #1

by Forrest.H on September 10, 2014

Copperhead #1 Comic Review

A new sci-fi western story that might have even more bite than its snake namesake.

Writer: Jay Faerber
Artist: Scott Godlewski 
Colorist: Ron Riley
Publisher: Image


Let's get right to it: This is the best #1 I've read in a long time. Black Science, Low, and other new books are great, interesting and refreshing but, Copperhead. This, to me, is something genuine and special, something I can see myself really growing to love.

Clara, new sheriff of backwater mining town Copperhead, finds her first day on the job more than she bargined for in the first issue of this Sci-fi/Western hybrid ala East of West but very much its own beast too. She arrives here, son Zeke in tow, to be immediatley undermined by her new second-in-command: a hairy alien who begrudgingly is already being called "Boo" but thats the least of her problems. Her first day on the job consists of: breaking up a domestic disput between some delightfully absurd hick-aliens, being vaugley threatened by the owner of the local mine and his artificial human goons and more. It's a terrible day for her, but a great read for us.

Clara is on the run from something we learn, personal demons or possibly very real ones, but she keeps up her wits and her fists too in a way that makes her an immediately enjoyable character who may be greatly balanced against longtime Copperhead resident: Boo. 

This world, this place, Copperhead, is just a normal western-type town existing in a completely alien world. Faerber's writing and Godlewski's art keep it completely believable and enjoyable, perfectly capturing the essence of a place that exists in a fantastical sci-fi world but isn't all spaceships and inter-galactic warfare all the time. It all feels contained, real, authentic. This town feels like it has existed for a longtime before we readers ever laid eyes on it and that's a good thing. This book sucks you up into its world and doesn't let go. 

Copperhead snakes are quite venomous and this book is too in its own way. It digs its panels, pages and characters in and infects you in the best way possible. 




 

Our Score:

10/10

A Look Inside