Bone Parish #1 Review

Death Ain't Tearing You Away From Me


Written by: Cullen Bunn
Art by: Jonas Scharf, Alex Guimarães, and Ed Dukeshire
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Any time I see Cullen Bunn's name attached to a new series, I am at least going to give it a look. I'm a fan of his writing, especially the way he writes villains and anti-heroes and makes them sympathetic characters. He is able to take the "bad guys" and make you root for them. In a story revolving around a drug operation that makes their product from the bones of dead people, I think it's pretty safe to say that most of the characters involved are going to be the "bad guys." So let's jump in and see how this new series gets started.


Explain It!

The book starts off on an interesting note, with images of a band performing interspersed with a man walking down the street, obviously high off his rocker, singing the lyrics to himself. It's a good way to draw your attention into the book and show you just how effective this drug is, as the guy is falling all over himself trying to walk.

The drug is being called "The Ash" on the streets, and it is really beginning to gain popularity as word about it spreads around New Orleans. It's a family operation to make and sell the stuff, and they are starting to have trouble keeping up with the demand. A new, successful drug business is going to make noise in other cities around the country, and that is going to draw the attention of some very powerful people that want to get in on this new money-making scheme. The Winters family is going to have to figure out how to balance the popularity of their new drug with the pressure from outside people to sell their operation.

The art is pretty solid throughout the issue. There are a lot of dark colors for most of it, and when the pinks and reds get involved, the disparity plays off really well to fit the overall story. As more information about the Ash is revealed, including some of the more horrific side effects, the colors adjust and reference back to the beginning of the issue, making you see it a whole different light.

This story is off to a kick-ass start so far and I really can't wait to see what Cullen Bunn has planned for the rest of the series. He has already taken these characters who are digging up bones to make into hallucinogens to sell, and made me care about them. We're just getting started here, so I won't say that this is an award-winner just yet, but it is off to a hell of a good start.

Bits and Pieces

While you wouldn't expect to care about a group of grave-robbing drug dealers, Cullen Bunn has a unique way of turning them into sympathetic characters in just one issue. This is a new, interesting concept that could go a number of different directions from here. The story is off to a great start, and the art is a big part of the way the story is being told thus far. Jump on this book now, before everyone realizes just how good it is!

9.5/10