Step into the shoes of Loretta a single mother who is working a dead-end job where neither employer or customer realizes the stress you’re going through. Now add in two children, Josh one troubled young man who is acting out at home and school at every turn, and Meg an eight-year-old daughter who is now becoming a tree… That’s right everyone shes becoming a tree! Let’s follow Loretta and her family into a world that is about to be turned upside down as we know it. The only goal is to save Meg from a fate that no one quite understands. And we can expect some crazy to happen along the way. SOME MINOR SPOILERS WARNING
New York Times bestselling author JEFF LEMIRE (GIDEON FALLS, ASCENDER) and artist PHIL HESTER (Shipwreck, Green Arrow), begin to craft a story not seen before. I for one haven’t read anything like this. And I can say, they have my attention. The story begins like any other day for Loretta but once she picks up her daughter Meg things are beginning to change. A strange rash begins to grow on Meg’s arm then eventually grows to her back. From here on things become dire. With random citizens attacking them on their way to the hospital, to the introduction of another character the children’s Grandfather. It looks like he himself knows of what’s going on but we won’t find out more until the next issue.
So this issue is pretty much plot setup for future issues. In some cases a slow starter but its all for the good of the story. Not rushed at all you gain a sense of who the characters are and what they have been dealing with recently. Which foresight can tell you will come back and create some awesome subplots. Towards the end of the issue, the story picks up steam. Meg is growing branches out her back and the narrator who is Josh from my understanding breaks down what seems to be the beginning of an apocalypse. And if that doesn’t grab your attention; Then seeing a random old man shoot a shotgun through a bad guys head sure will lol.
With that said, the issue starts off well, would have loved some more set up and details but I know we will get a whole lot more soon. I love the art style from Hester also. Gives a more ominous feeling seeing it along the story. If you’re a fan of Jeff Lemire I’m sure you are ready for issue 2. I sure am. He has a way of combining thriller, spooky, and compassion to his stories that keep you coming back for more. Issue 2 is scheduled for sale on Dec 18, 2019. Keep a lookout at your local stores.
