Snow Angels #1 Review

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Jock

Rating: 6 of 8

Snow Angels #1

Fear of the unknown is one of the strongest - and most common - fears there is. It's something that affects so many of us throughout our lives. We often try to avoid what we don't know, instead sticking with something familiar. We'll often avoid the road less travelled and instead play it safe; but is that really for the best?

The Trench people certainly think so and it's a mantra Milliken and her family live by. And as Millie says ''The Trench provides''. She says it gives you everything you'd need ''in its walls, swimming under the ice'', or in the gifts the Colden Ones left them. We never find out exactly what the Colden Ones were, mainly because none of the characters know, probably because they've long since died - or vanished.

Though if they're anything like the Snowman, it's probably best they never meet them. It's not entirely clear who, or what, the Snowman is, but it's definitely something the Trench people know to be wary of. Given what we see later on, this fear is definitely rooted in a rather chilling reality. Though these mysteries aren't the only ones whirling through the book, as the whole family have secrets of their own.

Their father's hints at a past neither Millie or her sister seem to know anything about, while Millie's is less a secret to her family and more of one to the readers, which is only interrupted by a decidedly chilling surprise... Meanwhile, her sister Mae Mae's could do a lot to explain just why they later find themselves facing a danger they never thought they'd have to.

One of the best parts of the issue is definitely the art. Jock does a marvelous job delivering some truly awe inspiring vistas, like the titular Trench, a thing that's just shockingly grand. With one image, he gives you a great sense of scale as, with the image of the family walking, set against the Trench, it makes clear just how grand it really is. Ultimately, it might've been a better way of explaining it's scale, without Mille telling the reader as well. If there was one thing I'd criticize, it's that I think she looks too much like a boy and, if Lemire hadn't explained it, I wouldn't have known she was meant to be a girl. It's odd, as it's very clear her sister's a girl.

Overall, it's a mixed debut as, despite some incredible art, the issue's let down by a few flaws. For example, I think it would've been better if we found out about Millie's birthday, the Snowman and some other things through dialogue and art, instead of her inner monologue. I also think the way that's written could've been a bit more consistent, instead of the mix between a casual and sometimes more formal style. It's surprising, as Lemire's done on a lot better on titles like Black Hammer and The Terrifics, so maybe it's just this title, or because it's the 1st issue. I guess we'll have to wait and find out.