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 title from Image Comics that has been making a tremendous buzz around comic fans. After seeing who’s creating this story, there’s no question on why the buzz is as big as it is! MONARCH #1 by Rodney Barnes (KILLADELPHIA, BLACULA, HBO's “Winning Time”), Alex Lins (NEW MUTANTS), and Luis Nct (SLEEPERS FABLE) presents a very captivating sci-fi story that challenges a young boy to face insurmountable odds head on. Let’s not delay and jump right into a deeper dive of this debut issue, shall we?
MONARCH #1 - On sale February 8th, 2023
Creative: Rodney Barnes, Alex Lins, and Luis Nct
Credit: Image Comics
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
This issue opens up with a narrator explaining this scene from ten hours prior. The narrator here is a young girl named Daysha. who’s running through what looks like a warzone, but it’s actually a schoolyard. With energy blasts being fired around her, Daysha is waved into shelter by a teacher until he is hit in the face with an energy blast and dies instantly. Daysha goes thru the hallway where more people are standing. She shifts her eyes to Todd, a young boy on the staircase. When she reaches for him, it appears a beam has hit the building, eluding to the worst. Readers see an energy force heading to Earth. The scene shifts to the City of Compton as a pink cloud looms overhead with the residents watching and waiting to see what happens next.
The story shifts to a young boy named Travon waking up for school. He looks out the window to see the pink cloud looking overhead. As he gets ready for school, he talks with his god-sister, Marli and his foster mother Miss Wilamae, who gives a concerned warning to watch out for danger in the form of Zion. Readers soon learn of that danger as Travon has to escape Zion’s anger on the way to school. With an assist from Daysha, Travon eludes Zion, but not without a promise to get him by day’s end.
After meeting with Todd, Daysha and Travon have a conversation on the school roof. At this point, readers find out why Zion hates Travon so much and with this looming, Travon is optimistic with his time with Daysha. However that moment is short lived as Zion jumps Travon later in the day. While Zion is punching away, the cloud in the sky makes its’ secret revealed. Their fighting stops but another battle begins as readers see what (or who) caused the opening moments of the book.
The story then jumps to three weeks later. Who survived what happened on that fateful day? With a future this bleak, Travon’s options are limited. What actions does he take now? Travon’s bravery in these times has shined but is it enough? The final moments of the book will throw readers for a curve and ends the book on a very unique moment, guaranteeing to bring people back for more.
Incredible first issue. Barnes sets the tone early with the opening scene. Showing Daysha running thru the schoolyard while energy blasts gave great foreshadowing for the danger coming without playing its’ full hand. Having the story shift to Travon’s normal life made connecting with him as a character to root for very easy. The conflict with him and Zion grounds this story as well. The time jumps didn’t take away anything from the overall story. The final act really ramps up the drama with a huge surprise that is only adding to the mystery of this book.
Another thing to note is the letter monologue colors. Seeing the events unfold thru Daysha (Red), Travon (Green) and Zion (Blue)’s eyes was an excellent add. There’s a lot to enjoy from the storytelling here.
Lins and Nct make every panel count as they balance out both stories here. The first one is the sci-fi element. In its’ introduction, the damage is huge and nothing is held back showing the effect its’ having on the people inside the school. The other story is Travon’s normal life. Showing the emotions and reactions of the first time readers see Travon with Marti and Miss Miss Wilamae made for a bigger reaction when Zion makes his appearance. Once the initial attack starts, the art makes a big factor in showing how dangerous the cloud’s reveal truly is. Excellent final arc demonstrating the high emotion tension and shocking close to this chapter.
FINAL POINT: Monarch #1 is a fantastic tale mixing in the worlds of science-fiction and grounded reality drama that you simply can’t miss out on. Barnes, Lins and Nct invite readers in with exceptional writing and artwork to see how a young boy steps up to face challenges beyond anyone’s understanding. If this book isn’t in your hands on New Comic Book Day, fix it quick.
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Monarch #1. Thanks for reading.