Written by Ron Marz & Phil Hester
Art by Stjepan Sejic; Lee Moder; Larry Molinar; Ryan Sook; Dave McCaig; Troy Peteri; & Chaz Riggs
Cover Art ‘B’ by Ryan Sook
SUMMARY:
Published by Top Cow Productions/Image Comics for May 2008, this one-shot has writer Ron Marz supply two of its three short stories: “Stragglers” and Magdalena’s “Crisis of Faith.” In between them is Phil Hester’s “Armies of the Night,” which is a tie-in to “Stragglers” and presents Jackie Estacado’s next adversary.
In the four-page “Stragglers,” three foul-mouthed teenage boys swilling a six-pack of beer explore an ominous dark cavern in a New Jersey forest. The eleven-page “Armies of the Night” reveals some of that cavern’s impish demonic residents The stone monolith reveals his past as the ancient Sovereign, whose immense greed once caused him to fall to the mystical warlord Naram-Sin. The Sovereign intends to settle an old score with The Darkness.
In the eleven-page “Crisis of Faith,” a disturbed Patience (the Magdalena) confesses her recent battle protecting Sara Pezzini’s newborn child from a supposed angel in the New Jersey forest (the incident is linked to the haunted cavern seen in the other two stories). Having killed a ‘creature of light’ in self-defense, a guilt-ridden Patience feels she has forfeited her sense of purpose.
Note: Though the cover image isn’t provided here, Cover ‘A’ is by artist Stjepan Sejic.
REVIEW:
Of these three stories, “Crisis of Faith” is the most compelling and possesses the best visuals. To writer Ron Marz’s credit, it’s a poignant Magdalena tale. Despite the issue’s weakest artwork, writer Phil Hester’s “Armies of the Night” deploys an okay flashback, as well as a ghoulish twist ending. What’s really missing from the Sovereign’s origin is more specifics (i.e. the actual when’s and where’s of his vast kingdom). There isn’t much to be made from the expendable “Stragglers,” but its solid artwork compensates for the horror clichés. Also, Marz does a believable job conveying the story’s dim-witted teenage boys. Overall, along with a great cover image, First Born: Aftermath # 1 (not to mention, its overall continuity) proves a solid read for Top Cow fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The inside back cover is Top Cow’s “World Moos” column, which includes thumbnail cover reveals for Witchblade # 119; Broken Trinity # 1; and The Darkness # 6.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
