Skyward #1 Review

Defying the laws of Grav-i-tyyyyy!

Written by: Joe Henderson
Art by: Lee Garbett
Colors by: Antonio Fabela
Letters by: Simon Bowland
Publisher: Image Comics
Reviewed by: Andrew McAvoy


The first daffodil appearing on a crisp sunny day in spring, 'Wouldn't it be Nice' by the Beach Boys ringing out of a transistor radio in summer, the smell of freshly cut grass, that perfect pass in the football game, the hiss of a can of ice cold Coca-Cola when it opens....and Skyward Issue 1.

Yes, this issue was pleasure distilled. A very simple premise, a cleanly told story, a day in the life in low gravity atmosphere, and a cliff hanger that can throw the whole perfectly balanced world we've just been shown into complete disarray. This is "power pop" for the eyes, and Willa is a character so likable and bursting with life that she is impossible to dislike.

The story is set twenty years after Earth is suddenly plunged into a low gravity atmosphere and everyone literally starts floating away into the atmosphere. Willa and her father manage to stay inside when the event occurs. Others like Lily, Willa's mother, aren't as lucky and are so surprised by the event that they can't control themselves in the absence of gravity and are swept upwards, an event that led Lily (presumably) to her death. The rest of the issue is set twenty years on and after a shocking start, we see how daily life is in this new world. Willa is a delivery person and it is fun seeing how she navigates the (new) laws of gravity on her day job. The book closes with a challenge to that daily routine and that new normal on Earth.

Garbett's art in this book, coupled with the panel layout, and the wonderful coloring work from Fabela, makes this book visually pleasing. More than that though, the style perfectly compliments the sheer effortlessly enjoyable quality of this book. It is like the comic equivalent of the perfect 3 minute pop song. If Garbett's art style has a young and vibrant feel about it, the colors are a mixture of a warm glow in the opening pages before giving us an energy driven boost through the pallet chosen for the middle section. The closing pages, and the exchanges between Willa and her father, have a darker gloomier feel to them, which reflects the suggested relationship the two have, and perhaps also Willa's father's intentions for "fixing" the world.

Bits and Pieces

A fun, sunshine-filled trip to the Windy City plunged skyward. In many ways the perfect first issue. I will be interested to see how the premise of this story develops in later issues. I have a feeling things may take a darker turn in future issues, but who knows? As things stand though, a fun first issue that will lift you off your feet.

9.1/10