The Offspring #1 Review

Note: A digital copy was given to me by David Whalen to review.

Writer: David Whalen

Artist: David Whalen

Rating: 5 of 8

The Offspring #1

Sometimes, a story has a lot of the elements it needs to be good, but they aren't as polished as they should be. Unfortunately, that's the case here, with The Offspring's debut issue. I can see a few different scenes working well if the art was a bit better, or the dialogue a little different.

But, as it is, it almost works, but doesn't quite get there. The issue begins a decade before, with a young Sara running frantically away from an older man, who has dark intentions. Years later, we find her near the end of a prison sentence. All of this works well, though the art could be better in places; like when she's running out of the house, as the perspective looks off. Whalen also does a good job on the sequential art in this early scene, delivering a good, fear filled scene with very little dialogue.

I also liked how the 2nd scene ended with her talking about riding a bike and the next started with two boys riding them. I know now, re-reading it, that Will's probably meant to be pretty short, but seeing just how small he was when outside an apartment was both surprising and odd. 

The best scene is definitely the last, which sets a creepy, foreboding atmosphere, thanks largely to dark shadows, cast in just the right places. There's also very little light, which definitely helps. It also ties in nicely to an earlier part of the issue. Though it isn't explained here, there seems to be something dark and sinister tying the different plots together, which could well involve the macabre figures introduced in the last scene.

Overall, this issue is a bit disappointing and could be a lot better, though it does have some good moments, as noted above. I've also got to commend Whalen on doing the lion's share of the work himself. Given that this is the 1st issue, it could easily have improved in future installments.