Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog for the ODPH podcast. For this entry, we're checking out a brand new series hitting comic book stores courtesy of Boom Studios. The company has been producing must-read new series all thru 2002 and look to close the year out strong with its’ newest book. A VICIOUS CIRCLE #1 by Mattson Tomlin, Lee Bermejo, Becca Carey, Michelle Ankley, Marie Krupina and Sierra Hahn has been creating quite a buzz on social media before its’ release. Boom has done a great job on their social media promoting this book. Are you #YOUSTOLEMYFUTURE or #WERETHEONLYCURE? Let’s take a closer look at this innovative tale and see what the hype is all about, shall we?

A VICIOUS CIRCLE #1 - On Sale December 14th
Creative: Mattson Tomlin, Lee Bermejo, Becca Carey, Michelle Ankley, Marie Krupina and Sierra Hahn
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

This issue starts off in New Orleans in the 1950’s with a man waking up from a dream. His name is Shawn Thacker. He wakes up to what appears to be a normal life: wife, son and getting ready go to wok. His son Tommy wants to spend some quality time with Dad and go fishing. Thacker says yes, but the mood shifts when Tommy mentions going to the basement for their fishing poles. Thacker sternly tells his son to stay out of the basement, cause “that’s where the monster is”. Readers get a front row seat as Thacker goes down the stairs and see the “monster” up close and personal. A masked man named Ferris is ties up in the basement! The conversation is cold and tense as Thacker is being provoked by his prisoner. After getting his fishing poles, he leaves his prisoner and heads into town,.

From there, Shawn Thacker drives into a bigoted crown protesting (reflecting the disgusting hateful climate of that era) on the way to work. After a brief detour into a bar, Thacker returns home to find his wife and son severely wounded for the man in the basement….who has escaped! At the hospital, Thacker has a talk with his wife with dire news involving their son coming to the forefront. Thacker tells his wife that their son is not going to make it through his wounds from the attack. The couple says their final goodbyes and Shawn Thacker is suddenly thrusted into the future out of nowhere. At this stage, Readers start getting more clues onto what Thacker’s mission has been and why he is on a mission to save the world or let it be ended?

What is the mystery about to unfold here? How is Thacker attached to his prisoner? What is the connection with the prisoner’s actions? Are the time travelling days over? Where does the story go now? Readers will have much to digest with reading the incredible story unfolding here.

Tomlin sets forth an intense read that will keep readers guessing from start to finish. The character of Shawn Thacker is a complex one to say the least. After his time in New Orleans, the future sequence sheds some insight on what is going on here. It poses the question to the readers of who’s really telling the truth. Tomlin writes Ferris a line in the future timeframe that actually questions if Thacker is the hero here. Seeing their connection “work” is going to make for an explosive dynamic the more this story plays out.

How else can you describe Bermejo’s art in this book other than masterpiece. Bermejo switches styles pending on what timeline he’s illustrating. From the photographic 1950’s to the more vibrant future along with the various timelines shown, the book will captive readers with how much it jumps off the page from the opening cover. The interactions between Thacker and Ferris showcases how much they’re both committed to their causes and what lengths they’re willing to go to each succeed.

FINAL POINT: A Vicious Circle #1 crafts a sensational story with excellent writing and one of the most incredible art performances in recent memory. Tomlin, Bermejo and the creative team lets readers in to a battle that will stand the test of time until one somehow falls and starts everything over again. Highly recommended for new comic book day. Don’t miss it!

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of A Vicious Circle #1. Thanks for reading.

A VICIOUS CIRCLE #1 (BOOM STUDIOS)

Ken M