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Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Bengal
Letterer: Rus Wooten
PUBLISHER: IMAGE COMICS
How do you build an entire world? A question that many comic creators need to ponder when constructing their stories. With Napalm Lullaby Rick Remender and Bengal are creating a world as we experience it. Rather than providing long diatribes of explanation, we are being placed with characters and following their journey. Through that journey, the world is being explored.
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Sarah and Sam are siblings on a mission to forever change the world. This issue picks up right after the last issue ends as they head home before they enact their master plan to kill a god. This world is ruled by a being of immense power that has used that power and the influence of religion to take control. Who, what, and why is still being determined but based on the squalor and limited freedom you can understand where Sarah and Sam’s desires comes from.
It also becomes apparent Sarah and Sam both have powers of their own that may help enact what they view as justice. What exactly does that justice look like is the question. One of the best parts of this issue was when they had a back-and-forth regarding how they would rule the world. Sarah believes in allowing people to choose for themselves while Sam fears that people cannot make the right decisions.
Within this conversation, the purpose of this story can be found. Part is the importance of having a conversation like this showing Remender and Bengal are not trying to indicate they have all the right answers because no one does. What is wrong can be easily identified. What is right? That is a bit more challenging.
What is also learned is that Sarah and Sam are still relatively young and reside with their father. Quickly we can see a lot of history without it being deliberately stated. Their home is a walking museum with historical artifacts that would make Indiana Jones proud.
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Their father has a desire to preserve the past but what we do not know yet again is why although there are plenty of clues. Information is slowly trickling out as we learn how this world operates.
One downside is this was an issue that mostly involved people in a room talking. The conversation was intriguing but Bengal did not get much of an opportunity to show what he can do as an artist. There were some flashes like Sam displaying what his power can do when he gets mad, and Bengal’s ability to render body language and emotion allows those conversations to be engaging.
Ultimately though it was like watching one of today’s best sprinters never able to go beyond a light jog.
Still, the use of color was an effective way of making this world even more complete. As we reside in the home of Sarah and Sam there’s a lot of red, browns, and other harsh tones. It is a world of conflict and chaos trying to maintain. As we enter the Citadel the colors become clearer with the pristine and endearing color palette with one specific exception. That exception is this harsh red flag that is seen in multitudes across the land. We know who the enemy is because they want all the attention on them.
Breadcrumbs are being dropped but that may not be enough for everyone. The audience is being kept at a distance and there are a lot of unknowns. Despite being two issues into the series the characters are still mostly blank slates. I appreciate the faith in the audience to put the pieces together, but I would also value having more to invest in beyond generalities. As a fan of this creative team, I have faith my investment will grow as the story develops but this may end up being a comic that is best experienced in trade for others.
