Review: Pandora #1

Pandora is a new comic from The77 publications that sees, Red by Night Black by Day, writer Jo Heeley take on the editorship of this sci-fi, horror anthology.  Here's my quick and spoiler review of the comic

First up is Star Nav, by British comics legend, Alan Hebden, with art by 2000ADs Anna Morozova. The Star Nav of the title is Stella Sunbright, a young woman who has the power to navigate starships across space and time using a mental ability. This ability makes Stella a very sought after commodity especially among the more nefarious spacefarers that inhabit this time.  This story gave me the vibes of Hebdens Mind Wars from Star Lord - no bad thing. Anna Morozovas art and colours are on point and make for a great opener, although it does seem that everyone, even the villains, in this galaxy are blessed with long legs and a perfect figure/physique.

Anna Everts gives us a tale steeped in Irish folklore, with Weep For Me. Combined with Gary Burleys beautiful art it is a genuinely touching piece. There was definitely something in my eye after reading this one.

Next up is Penny Pentagram, readers of The77 will know this character already. If you look at my previous reviews you'll see that Penny is not on my favourites list.  I always felt she was just a, too nice, Buffy wannabe, however, that view has been challenged here.  Pandora has given creators David Thomas and Andrew Richmond the chance for PP to go full-on badass and spill her fair share of claret as she battles demonic blood suckers. Much more in my wheelhouse. 

New writer to comics, Jamal Luckett and artist Lola Menna Bonati have given the Zombie genre a different treatment in, If You Just Listen.  Yes, it could be argued that Zombies have been done to death (pun intended) and I'm not one hundred percent convinced on the art style here, but I'm intrigued. I think and hope this will be a grower. 

That thing you're convinced you've seen moving out of the corner of your eye along with loss and grief are explored in Home, a great story from Rob McDonald and artist Ade Hughes. It is written with great feeling and an obvious understanding of the depth of grief and loss.  For me Ade Hughes here, has created his best work for comics yet.  His storytelling and use of colour is gorgeous and the final page is, as we say in the Black Country, an absolute bosta!

Last up is El Bunito, a sci-fi story about the most badass rabbits, yes rabbits, that you've ever seen.  The titular El Bunito makes Monty Pythons rabbit, in The Holy Grail, look positively tame.  Andrew Sawyers brings editor Jo Heeleys creation to violent life in great style, as you would expect from the talented artist.

I think this is a great first issue of the new comic, for me a solid 4 out of five.  Jo Heeley and Andrew Richmond, on Art Editor duties, have done a great job. It's obvious from the editors introduction that this is a real passion project for her, and it shows.  I also really enjoyed that new creative talents were given a chance to shine alongside such stalwarts as Alan Hebden. A great start to a project that I hope to see more of regularly in the coming months.

Pre order here: https://the77comic.bigcartel.com