ONLY THE SAVAGE ARE LEFT #1: All Together and None For All.

How far would you be willing to go to save yourself from an infectious disease that has spread rapidly across the world? What if the only way to save yourself was to be as savage towards another infected person as they were to you? Would you risk losing your humanity for another day on the planet? One man embarks on a journey to find the girl he loves, and what he encounters may challenge his faith in humanity more than ever.

Creative Team: Zack Kaplan, Stefano Raffaele, Thiago Rocha, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Zack is absolute aces in terms of bringing new life into genres that have been around for quite some time. Bringing us into this post-infection world and putting a savage spin on the story had me perked up instantly. He challenges our humanity through the characters of the story. We have Ryder, who holds onto hope and has found comfort in this new world; meanwhile, Oaklynn is ready to face the dangers of what lies beyond their community. We get flashbacks to how the virus started and a glimpse into their relationship. Zack can make us feel as though we’ve known these two for a while and their dynamics. He’s not afraid to take the story to some breathtaking places in terms of action either. This story is going to be something incredible; I can feel it.

The Art and Letters:

We are used to seeing Thiago use vibrant colorwork with his coloring, such as Kill All Immortals, and so it is a departure from his norm when we see a wasteland full of browns and emotionless colors. This makes the creatures or the blood, and the action burst out from each panel so much more, and works well with the story unfolding. Stefano’s using incredible imagination as he shows us glimpses of different creatures in various stages of the infection. They do some showing over telling through the artwork, and it’s vivid imagery that sets the tone for where this series will be taking us. There is an innocence to Ryder they’ve built, and it’s a stark contrast to the world he enters. You feel truly afraid for him, and it’s the way the duo along with the lettering from Hassan, have worked their way to tell this first issue.

Final Thoughts:

Only The Savage Are Left #1 is the comic of the week. It injects a flurry of emotion and fear into a world where humanity is a thing of the past. The only choices left are to become as savage as those who are infected or join their ranks.

Overall Grade: 10/10!

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