Napalm Lullaby #1 is written by Rick Remender and published by Image Comics. Artwork is by Bengal and letters by Russian Wooten. Main cover art (left) is also by Bengal.
Napalm Lullaby #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
The bestselling creative duo of RICK REMENDER & BENGAL reteam for NAPALM LULLABY, an all-new, ongoing dystopian epic with a special double-length first issue!
A child with unimaginable power is raised to believe he is God by a cult of zealots utterly confident in the moral authority of their religion. The Magnificent Leader has imposed his will on humanity and created the ultimate theocracy. Join them, or be cast out to suffer with the masses.
Review
There’s something oddly familiar about the opening pages of new Image Comics series Napalm Lullaby. Stop me if perhaps you might have heard this story before. A middle-aged married couple from the heartlands of America stumble across a baby on the side of the road with powers beyond that of any mere mortal. There are subtle differences of course. But Rick Remender is staying close to the beaten path in order to setup an altogether more shocking future for this gifted child.
Napalm Lullaby #1 is an interesting read. For much of the book I felt like an outsider, waiting for Remender to bring me in to his inner circle and explain the direction of travel. Unlike The Holy Roller, which has more of a sense of immediacy, Napal Lullaby feels more existential. Like we’re supposed to step away from the book questioning the validity of figureheads like the Magnificent Leader. But the lack of context, particularly around why other characters are so fearful of this powered person, is a little bewildering.
We’re also introduced to siblings Sam and Sarah. They’ve got a grudge against the Magnificent Leader and are planning his demise. Both have immense psychic powers, another aspect of the story which is mostly without context for now. We spend most of the issue with them and by-proxy their development is the most evident. At least coming out of this book we know they’re on a mission. What we don’t understand is why or where it might lead. There no sense of good versus evil. It’s more a clashing of ideologies which could make this an incredible read going forwards. But right now I feel like I’m staring at a table full of jigsaw pieces with no image of how the final design should be.
That being said there’s no denying the brilliant artwork that Bengal brings to the book. The opening flashback feels neatly placed in the present day. Whilst in the future his brilliant character designs are what really make Napalm Lullaby stand out. Sam and Sarah both have different styles, each with their faces covered. Bengal brings some cool design work to each which feels unique and unlike what we might see in other superhero comic books. Glimpses of the wider world tease the future setting but it’s really the focus on character which will be the major draw to readers in this first chapter.
Verdict
An interesting first glimpse in to Rick Remender’s latest creation. Whilst lacking some much needed context there’s enough here to warrant a return for issue #2.
⭐⭐⭐
