By Benjamin Morin — When it comes to the comic output of Jeff Lemire, few creatives in the industry come close to matching him. Just this past year, he had nine various on-going series, four of which were new properties. Such staggering numbers make one wonder if the man even has time to sleep. Enter Snow Angels #1, which keeps the trend going as Lemire’s first new digital-only series of 2021.

The world of Snow Angels is a somber, frozen wasteland. Stuck in a never-ending trench, our protagonists struggle to survive against the elements. The story follows a father and his two daughters as they make their way through this hostile world. Held together by the “3 Testaments of the Trench,” their almost religious reverence for their home is supposed to keep them safe, but the question fast becomes — what nightmares lurk in the shadows?

A sci-fi survival tale at its core, Lemire imbues Snow Angels with an engaging and original premise. Through the young protagonist Milliken’s narration, Lemire gives readers a first person perspective on the world that works well at immersing one in the narrative. The issue also has some solid subtle world-building. Hushed whispers of the monstrous “Snowman”, future technology referred to as magic, and the mysterious “Colden ones” seem just the tip of the iceberg to this new world.

Responsible for breathing life into this frigid land is all-star artist Jock. Jock brings his signature rugged stylings to the book, and it perfectly suits the narrative and the genre. His rough linework in particular suits the character designs amidst their hardened terrain. Close-ups on character’s faces seem at times almost etched out of the frozen shadows and are effective at conveying emotion. The coloring also works well at fleshing out the world. Jock’s color palette uses stark contrasts to great effect in this snow-covered world. Blinding whites assault the eyes, yet give way to encroaching shadows. This leads to the sparing use of reds and other colors being even more striking in their appearances.

Altogether, Snow Angels #1 provides an impressive debut for Comixology’s newest series. It’s got a great hook, intriguing characters, and a world ripe with possibilities. Alongside all of this, Jock’s art complements Lemire’s story and sets it apart from the average comic. Don’t miss out on this chilling premiere.

Overall: Snow Angels #1 makes for an engrossing debut with fantastic artwork. 8.5/10

REVIEW: Snow Angels #1

Snow Angels #1
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist & Colorist: Jock
Letterer: Steve Wands
Publisher: Comixology/4TWENTY LIMITED
Price: $2.99
Two of the most acclaimed creators of their generation -- Writer JEFF LEMIRE and Artist JOCK -- together for the first time in SNOW ANGELS -- a 10-part science fiction adventure story set in a brutal world like no other!
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Read It Digitally: Snow Angels #1

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Ben is a comic buff and film fanatic. A journalism major by day and a comic reviewer by night, he avidly consumes all forms of sequential art. On Twitter, he goes by @BiglikeBen.