By Jacob Cordas — I can’t imagine how good it must feel to be BOOM! Studios right now. They have continually been able to release amazing comic after amazing comic for every age group. Their line up is a jaw-dropping hodgepodge of perfection. With a focus on genre storytelling, especially the fantasy genre (and all of its respective subgenres), they keep pushing the boundaries of what this style of storytelling can look like. You want swamp set semi-future fantasy revolving around pirate-radio? Read b.b. free. You want scifi fantasy riffs off of mythology starring a dinosaur? Read The Midas Flesh. You want a slice of life witch-school take on veterinary sciences? Read Hex Vet. 

And with Wynd #1, they have added another phenomenal comic to their line up. James Tynion IV (who already writes BOOM!’s excellent Something Is Killing The Children) has never been better here. The story here revolves around two characters, Wynd and Thorn Cherrywood. 

Wynd is a Weirdblood, someone who has magic in their bloodline, and an excitable young man. I truly can’t remember the last time I was so completely and immediately drawn into a character’s life. Every little detail in the comic feels so true and lived in. Whether we are talking about his love of cooking, his childish lack of cleanliness, his distant admiration for the son of the king’s gardener, it all rings true.  

Thorn Cherrywood, which is such an amazing name I am going to type it again (Thorn Cherrywood), is the son of the king’s gardener as well as our second protagonist and he is equally as engaging. I love his relationship with the Prince and the one sided sexual tension is so relatable as to be heartbreaking. His interaction with his father is the stand out moment of the issue, as well as frighteningly savage warning as to what is to come in this comic. 

Working with him on illustrations is Michael Dialynas, who has worked with James Tynion IV before on a GLAAD award winning BOOM! comic The Woods, and is turning out some absolutely perfect work here. They are an excellent match. Dialynas brings a warmth to the whole affair inviting us into such a magical world I can’t say no. I kept flipping through the pages at such a pace because I had to see more. 

When he does finally take that warmth away (in the stand out interaction mentioned above), it creates such a sense of horror. More conventional horror artists should definitely take note of the use of coloring here. I legitimately gasped at the art the first time I read it. Not because it wasn’t expected, but because it is so perfectly crafted you can’t help having any other response than shock. 

I always read over a review before I write the final paragraph to see if there’s anything worth bringing back. All I keep seeing is my consistent refrain of perfect. And I really can’t find a better word for this issue. Everything about this is perfect. I never even realized the extra length since every page is just so compelling. I can’t wait for more. 

OVERALL: This is great. Everything comes together to make another excellent BOOM! comic from another excellent team. Read it if you like comics that are good. 10/10

Wynd #1

Wynd #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Dialynas
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Price: $3.99
WYND introduces readers to a world where magical heritage is punishable by death, so a young boy named Wynd must keep his true identity – and pointy ears – a secret from everyone in Pipetown, even if it means he’ll never have the normal life he wants. But when his secret is threatened, Wynd is forced to leave his home behind to embark on a dangerous quest that will put him at the heart of a royal conspiracy beyond his imagination.
Now on the run with the boy of his dreams, his best friend Oakley, and a literal prince, Wynd will have to embrace the magic within himself if he wants to save them from the shocking dangers that await!Release Date: June 17, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Click here!

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My name is Jacob Cordas (@jacweasel) and I am not qualified to write this.