By Hunter T. Patrick

First and foremost, this artwork is great… Okay great is an understatement, it is phenomenal. This is a book where there is no need to buy this for the writing, but just to look at all the very unique art. It looks straight out of a children’s book, but with a more mature tone. The artwork fits the story and setting perfectly with a more fantasy book with issues of childhood. I am not familiar with the creator (Farel Dalrymple), and I hope this book has the creator be more well known in the comic community after this.

Dalrymple captivates from the first ‘panel,’ and never stops captivating. The dialogue has some great lines that are fun to read. This is issue one of six, and that is stated because my biggest complaint is the story as I feel this will be one of those series where more background will be given as it goes along, leaving some things out for the first issue. This is something that when reading in a trade (or doing a reread) that the issue can get a higher score when the full story is finished… at least that is a hope. Even if none of my questions get explained, I can still enjoy this but with a different mindset. I may change this to a perfect score upon finishing the whole story, but right now it a book that I will recommend and say that it is much better than most books on stands.

One of my favorite themes in media is the concept of childhood. So much can be done with this theme and the comic presents it in a uniquely exciting way. The protagonist here is noticeably young, and also noticeably with the vocabulary as if he is a student at South Park Elementary. This feels as if someone with that vocabulary (granted not as explicit) is given a chance to have a fantasy adventure, rivaled to Peter Pan. It is a great mix of genres and having the profanity used helped let its readers know from the start this adventure is meant for the young at heart but mature in years. Harry Potter may be for all ages, but this is not, and it is all the better for it.

You can go buy this for the story, or you can buy this for the art, but either way, go buy this for the creator. Both artwork and story should be on display, and this book deserves to help the creator get praise much needed. Do not expect a traditional comic as this has a very experimental feel to it and that is what helps move comics forward. Help this innovator, or, at the least, get the trade when that is released. This comic has a lot of things to offer, and hopefully, the series will offer more background that I want for later. This is the making of a wonderful bedtime story to tell whatever adult you tuck in at night. 

Score: 4/5

Proxima Centauri #1
Image Comics