Broken Frontier

The creators of Danger Girl have returned to the world of sequential comics, and this time they intend to take a walk on the wild side.

I must profess to have not read a single issue of Danger Girl, so when I picked up a copy of # 0 of Wildsiderz I wasn’t sure what to expect. I bought this issue and flipped through it only to be pleasantly surprised by the earnestness of the creators. The issue is structured like a Handbook of the Marvel Universe and it’s jam-packed with useful facts and imagery pertaining to the upcoming series. So this is the perfect place for new readers to come aboard and get comfortable with the characters.

The issue opens by introducing the five Wildsiderz teenagers in a format akin to a featurette on a DVD. This is a nifty way to give each character a bio and back story, and also some great art provided by Campbell to compliment things. The introductions highlight each individual teen, pointing out their quirks and personalities while also giving you the skinny on how their animal powers are filtered through the holographic bodysuits they all wear. Once you get past these initial introductions the middle section of the book introduces the supporting characters, villains and other interesting aspects that will make up the unique world of the Wildsiderz universe. There’s also a great interview with both Hartnell and Campbell, as well as a clever preview that I think is well worth picking this issue up for.

I should also point out how great the art looks in this issue. Much of J. Scott Campbell’s work is fresh, playful and stylized in the same way he handled the look of Danger Girl. He does a great job giving you as much insight and detail in the lives of the Wildsiderz, and the digital inks by Avalon Studios, along with special FX color by Edgar Delgado compliments the slick look as well. The artistic aspect of the book is also rounded out by the text provided by writer Andy Hartnell. Here he manages to contribute the right amount of text that’s never boring and always insightful, and it appears he is the perfect ‘foil’ for the playful style of J. Scott Campbell.

So if you’re fascinated by the start of this new series, then I suggest you pick # 0 and marvel over the creative process this duo has graciously provided for the readers. There is certainly enough material here to wet your appetite, and I am anxious to see how this fanfare will play out in the first issue come this August. I am sure the Wildsiderz will have you going wild for more.