Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast.

For this entry, we are jumping into a new series from Image Comics that reunites a team readers know from The Ride: Burning Desire. This series is sure to be one talked about on New Comic Book Day. Klik Klik Boom #1 by Doug Wagner, Doug Dabbs, Matt Wilson and Ed Dukeshire brings the mystery of Sprout and her unique vision of the world for a story that can’t be missed. Let’s take a deeper dive and peel back the layers of this intriguing tale, shall we?

Klik Klik Boom #1 by Doug Wagner, Doug Dabbs, Matt Wilson and Ed Dukeshire (Credit: Image Comics)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The story begins in New York City. Someone is leaving polaroid pictures in various spots throughout the city. One picture is that of a family celebrating a birthday with some cake at a restaurant. Readers see that there is a mysterious woman (known later as Sprout) taking pictures of the family outside the venue. It appears as she is trying to use the photos to communicate with the family but the photos are clearly not welcomed by the celebrating party. After being threatened, Sprout leaves but not before leaving a picture of the cake on the window.

From here, readers see Sprout walking down the street when she’s harassed by two men. The one smacks Sprout on her backside. She responds by staring at them followed by taking a picture. Leaving the pair, she walks by a man walking down the street and smacks him on his behind. If this wasn’t puzzling enough, the next action leaves many questions.

Sprout goes into her bag and draws a gun from a sea of Polaroids of a man readers find out later is her grandfather. With gun in hand, Sprout walks into a bank. With no vision inside, readers see shots fired and someone screaming. Suddenly Sprout walks out unscathed, picking up a dropped picture of her grandfather. This leads to a flashback where readers get a little insight into Sprout’s past 12 years prior.

In the present, a reporter named Serena Biggs is on the phone piecing together the mystery of Sprout. Readers find out what happened in the bank and how that is the tip of the iceberg behind a bigger conspiracy yet to be revealed.

What is found during Serena’s investigating? Who is a vested party of interest? How does Sprout figure into all of this? Readers don’t wait too long to bare witness to paths crossing and more questions raised. Just when the answers seem to appear, they get lost in the rising danger of Sprout’s world leading into a closing act that proves the enigmatic story of Sprout hasn’t even begun to be unveiled.

BREAKDOWN: This mystery is one that will capture readers attention and not let go easily. Wagner presents Sprout as a lost soul in a big world. The initial interactions with the people of New York City comes across as awkward and curious. Keeping the bank scene hidden elevates the reveal of events later in the issue perfectly. The addition of Serena plays as a dual role for the readers. Serena is asking the questions they are thinking while trying to process what world she has now stepped into. The conversation when it is revealed why Sprout takes pictures is one of the noteworthy points of the issue. Wagner does a great job of keeping Sprout’s true motives elusive with mixing in surprise locations throughout the journey. There never is a loss of tension and wonder for the duration, leading into a strong final moment.

Dabbs and Wilson bring a certain mystique to the artwork for the book. The use of 5-6 panel pages gives a feel of the reader themselves are looking at the polaroids while moving thru the story. The bank sequence is a strong moment in the book. Using only a few wide panels, readers can sense the action taking place and the surprising fallout when Sprout leaves. The flashback time with Sprout and her grandfather gives the readers a solid idea of their quirky relationship without fully playing all the cards to what has transpired. This formula is shown against when Sprout is involved in an altercation. The use of small panels and bright colors tell just enough before switching gears. Superb closing visuals to lead into the next issue of what is sure to be a monster hit.

FINAL POINT: 9.5 OUT OF 10

From the opening page, there is a certain enigmatic feel that captures readers and never lets go. Wagner orchestrates a slow burn thriller brought to life by Dabbs and Wilson’s amazing visuals reflecting the gritty and mysterious world of Sprout. This is a must-have on New Comic Book Day.

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