How long is this mini-series? I can tell you right now it’s not going to be long enough. BOOM! needs to pull a play out of Image’s handbook and extend the series because there’s no way I’m going to be content with just four more issues. Things definitely popped off in the last issue of The Woods; now our groups of wandering teens are divided with one group standing in front of a Mayan structure. This is where the issues starts with them discussing what the structure looks like and Calder out of left field explaining exactly why it’s Mayan. The trio end up going inside the structure because… well wouldn’t you? It’s not like they know where the other three are or the danger they’re in at the moment.
Speaking of the other half of our bunch they’re about to get eaten by the four-eyed green tiger things when arrows rain down from above and instantly kill two of them. Sanami is quick to understand the fact that they’re not alone, but with an injured person on her squad will they be able to outrun this new danger?
Back at the school… shit’s about to get real. Dominic our double agent jock has freed the prisoners and hid them, but now he has to convince the coach and his douche bag partner that’s taking his role as enforcer too seriously, that it was all an accident. Unfortunately Dominic’s partner is not so easily fooled, but our student council president may have one last trick up her sleeve. Let’s hope she can live with the results.
I don’t know if I’m going to run out and buy James Tynion’s DC work, but I’m definitely down with checking out the rest of his creator-owned material. The man writes one hell of a story as this one is clearly well researched, but more importantly the characters are wonderful. At this point I’m more interested in what the characters do or say than I am the point of them being there. Don’t get me wrong I still want to uncover the mystery, but I’m happy to follow these characters more along the way.
With artists it’s easy to be burnt out on someone’s style, especially with superhero titles. Eventually you’re like, “yup that’s that dude’s version of that character” and there’s nothing else to say. With Michael Dialynas’ art though, he’s so versatile that the chances of not liking his style is slim to none. For me it’s a resounding “none” because each issue I can’t get enough of his art. The surprise in the woods this issue was presented in the coolest way possible. That might be why I like his work so much because when I read the story and see his art I think, “That’s so cool, I wouldn’t have done it the exact same way.” And as much as I like the dialogue, I could do with some pages that let Dialynas artwork do all the talking. This may be Tynion’s baby, but Dialynas gave it life.
The Woods I believe is half-way done, which is good and bad. Good because it means we’re half way to the end and bad for the exact same reason. If for some reason you haven’t checked out one of the best titles that BOOM! Is publishing (Thomas Alsop being the other) then you are missing out on a series that embodies the reason to read comic books; great stories and fantastic art that you won’t see anywhere else.
Score: 5/5
Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Michael Dialynas Publisher: BOOM! Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 8/1/14 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital