There is something about the conclusion of things that evokes curiosity within the human race. From Image Comics and W. Maxwell Price comes Swan Songs. A new anthology series that delves into multiple stories centered around the end things and the implications that accompany them.
Written by: W. Maxwell Price
Art by: Martin Simmonds
Letters by: Good Ol Neon
REVIEW
In its debut issue, Swan Songs thrust us into an apocalyptic world. Cities and towns crumble amidst the chaos, with buildings ablaze and people consumed by panic. Among this mayhem, we meet Brian, our protagonist, an ordinary man determined to spend what little time he has left with his dying mother. As the countdown to the end relentlessly progresses, Brian embarks on a mission to retrieve the final magazine in a series that he has been reading to his mother. However, this journey entails traversing a broken town filled with many dangers.
THE ART
From the cover to the final page, Martin Simmonds’ art captivates and absorbs you. Painting a landscape that captures the impending apocalypse. Muted colors and vivid splashes of red create a sense of urgency, foretelling the imminent doom that awaits at the end of this comic. The background buildings and characters exudes an air of resignation as if all hope is lost, and surrender is inevitable. Yet, amidst this desolation, Brian navigates through this harrowing setting of a mother on her deathbed, the world crumbling around him. His quest to secure the final magazine becomes a testament to compassion, a last act of kindness, and a cherished memory in the face of oblivion. Martin Simmonds’ art speaks volumes, evoking emotions and a sense of urgency in each panel.
Final thought
Starting with the end of the world as a side story to a mother-son relationship, Swan Song delivers a powerful opening. This series is not for the faint-hearted, as it unearths questions you never knew you should ask. Sorrow and melancholy permeate this issue, yet there lingers a glimmer, albeit a faint glimmer of hope and joy, awaiting those who dare to grasp it, whether it is the reader or the protagonist. If you are looking for an intelligent, thought-provoking read that resonates deeply, look no further. Swan Songs’ debut issue sets the stage for a profoundly unique and emotionally charged journey.