Swan Songs #3, from series creator W. Maxwell Prince and publisher Image Comics, brings forth a peculiar yet intriguing installment in a series that’s about endings. This issue weaves a tale of a new beginning in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust.
Written by: W. Maxwell Prince
Art by: Filipe Andrade
Letters by: Good Old Neon
Overview:
Adeline and Evan, two young survivors of the holocaust, set out on a journey to explore what’s left of the world they left behind. What they encounter are strangely mutated creatures and a barren landscape. Much like the biblical Adam and Eve, they begin naming these creatures and set out to create their own paradise.
Review:
In an anthology primarily focused on endings, Swan Songs #3 takes an unexpected turn by exploring the possibility of a “fresh start” midway through the series. It reads like a satirical take on the Book of Genesis. My initial impression of the main characters was that they came across as incredibly naive and somewhat annoying.
The central question the comic attempts to address is whether the world would evolve differently with a reset button or if we would inevitably repeat our past mistakes. While this concept offers a unique perspective on rewriting biblical narratives, the post-apocalyptic survival theme has been explored in the past and offers nothing new to the genre.
Felipe’s art is vague, leaving interpretation to the reader, we never get a clear look at the main characters or the changed environment. This in my opinion aligns well with the theme of the story.
Final Thoughts:
The first two issues of Swan Songs were masterfully crafted, presenting a rich and profound narrative. The third issue falls short of these standards, it is quite unfortunate. But, I remain optimistic about the series as a whole. Ultimately, reader enjoyment may vary, and while I personally found this installment less engaging, Prince’s talent as a writer still shines through. There is a story here, albeit one that may not captivate all readers.