Square One #1

Square One #1

Southeast Comics 2021

Written by Rodney Laibahas

Illustrated by Valentina Pinti

Coloured by Agnese Pozza

Lettered by Marco Della Verde

Morning Issues

The awesome first issue of the most anticipated comic book series in the indie scene! Santopia is run by a mega corporation called the Plant Corp. They provide the country with a renewable energy named Magna Core. On a morning like any other, on their way to high school, six teens in Square One City accidentally get exposed to a fraction of that particular energy source…

This is a book that I saw on ComiXology that I wanted to review that was also one that I was sent by the writer with a request to review and that kind of serendipity doesn’t come along all too often. For me this is a great example of why I keep talking about hitting up the small/indie press section or Artist Alley at a convention because it’s a great book that you might not find otherwise. High school can be difficult at the best of times and when there’s bullying involved well lets just say I understand that all too well. Kids can be cruel so what happens when something happens that grants you gifts or superpowers? We’re about to find out.

I am really rather enjoying the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. I like how we are being introduced to the characters which also ties into the character development that we see. Each of these kids we see is fleshed out through the dialogue as well as how they act and react to the situations and circumstances they encounter. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the story, this world and these characters we get caught up in this great slice of life style story.

I like the way that this is being structured and how the layers within the story have emerged tying everyone together. I have to say i’m impressed because each kid has such a different life and oftimes much different than perceived from the outside. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story ever forward is extremely nice to see.

The interiors here are really well rendered. The linework is nicely laid down and how the varying weights and techniques which are being utilised to create the attention to detail makes for some great moments that pop for the reader. I will say there are moments where body proportions need a little work, Marc and Damian’s interaction for example, which should come with more practical use. I want to see more backgrounds, I want to feel like we’re in a space that may or may not be cramped. Still how we see depth perception, a sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book is great to see. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a talented eye for storytelling. The creativity and imagination that we see is nicely done as well and that beast is the perfect example. The colour work is well rendered also. How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is beautifully done.

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Now that I’ve read this one I cannot wait to read the next issue. This actually excites me and I think the premise is strong and how it’s being executed is going to make for some great reading. It is books like this one that I keep urging everyone to try reading some indie or small publishing house titles. You can find more information about this book and others at https://southeastcomics.com/product/square-one-1/​