Are there any other homonyms that get used as often in metaphor, similes and allegorically as the words “sun” and “son”? While the former refers to a male offspring, time and again in biblical scripture, sonnets and stories as well, it frequently undergoes a metamorphosis likening the individual to a celestial body. Speaking of suns or stars, specifically the second to the right, Boom Studios new series is a nostalgic return to Neverland. However, even in this fairytale land time marches on, and now all the other boys of summer are gone. This leaves Peter Pan as The Last Boy.
The Last Boy #1
Boom Studios
Written by: Dan Panosian
Illustrated by: Alessio Avallone
Colored by: Valentina Pinto (w/ color assistance by: Agnese Pozza & Rik Mack)
Lettered by: Jeff Eckleberry
Despite depicting her as a fairy, Tinker Bell exhibits some devilish behavior throughout the 1953 animated film. Unfortunately this makes what the sprite does at the beginning of The Lost Boy #1 totally in character. Writer Dan Panosian sends Tinker Bell to end Peter’s quiet time by offering him a chance to engage in yet another “game” with Captain Hook. Like numerous times before Peter is all too eager to catch the pirate up to no good – in this instance he’s supposedly stealing pelts from the tribe. Then, after a brief sword fight, he will just send a defeated Hook overboard, like numerous times before.
But in The Last Boy #1 readers and Peter will soon realize the ticking the Codfish now fears isn’t coming from Tick-Tock. Instead, it’s Father Time that Hook is attempting to elude.
Meanwhile, this wouldn’t be a true tale of Neverland, or Peter Pan, without Wendy who is now a young woman. Still living in her childhood home, she is juggling the duties of tending to her ailing father with her own ambition of becoming an author. As a subtle indication of her doubts and the dull existence in London colorist Valetina Pinto transitions to a sepia tone in contrast to the vibrant colors on display during the Neverland scenes. Wendy’s longing captured when, after yet another “you need to grow up” speech – this time from her mother, she notices the second star to the right while walking along the docks. At this moment the sky becomes briefly brighter before returning once an admiral arrives with some bad news.
Back in Neverland, Peter Pan is getting some bad news of his own. After checking his map, he finally locates the natives only to discover two things. Peter’s honorary tribe membership has ended and Tiger Lily is now chief. Although the story doesn’t specifically state it, there’s something familiar about the headdress Alessio Avallone illustrates Chief Tiger Lily wearing. Like the Great Fire Battle that Great Panther indicates caused the rift in Peter’s relationship with the tribe, The Last Boy #1 offers hints at some of the untold history of Neverland.
From the opening page The Last Boy #1 proves the writing and artistic talent take into account the underlying plots that exist within the original Peter Pan. Similar to stories such as Labyrinth, Alice in Wonderland and even The Lion King, it is a tale about growing up, a time that marks accepting the end of adolescence and becoming your own adult. Witnessing Wendy’s father once again forcing her to act her age is as disheartening as discovering that Peter is still caught in a devil on my shoulder dynamic with Tinker Bell.
A reminder that even though the way forward is the way back, there comes a time you have to put parts of your past behind you.
Score: 8.9