Review - Knight #1

"Knight's story began long ago, but we shall tell it from here, a spring night."

A literal knight in shining armor is a thing of the past, replaced by a figurative version. The two often stand for the same thing, even though the former is more capable of actually doing knightly things. The concept can be an inspiration for doing great and Evoluzione Publishing finds that inspiration in Knight #1. The issue is written by Guido Martinez, penciled by Mauri, inked by Viktor Nava, colored by Marcus Odoms and lettered by Martinez and David Herbert.

An ancient evil has awoken in Strong Castle city. A new hero must rise to face it. Their battle has been prophecized centuries ago. It will be remembered through the ages as the birth of a new era.

The battle for one's soul is never without its perils and Martinez offers a physical manifestation of said perils in Knight #1. The premise behind the hero currently known as Knight is pretty interesting, but Martinez doesn't really delve too deeply into how exactly it works. The fact that he doesn't explain things is disconnected from the writing style, with Martinez offering plenty of stream of conscious dialogue on the part of the protagonist. In fact, the reader is probably just as clueless as the other main character the Knight interacts with for most of the issue and the larger plot is a little muddy as well. Martinez definitely has a story in mind he wants to tell even if the first issue feels a little disjointed at times.

Mauri's pencils are pretty generic honestly. Knight is illustrated with a typical, superhero physique that makes it plausible he can prowl the streets at night while other characters sport pretty mundane appearances that make them disappear into the tedium of a daily routine. Knight's armor sports some medieval inspirations as Mauri illustrates it in a way that makes it stand out in the present. Panel layouts are overwhelming at times as there are an abundance of overlays and insets that make it a little difficult to keep up with the dialogue at points. Nava's inks are heavy and--when paired with Odoms' colors--underscore the seedy nature of the city Knight patrols.

Knight #1 takes the concept of a vigilante and adds a somewhat supernatural twist. Knight is seeking some sort of salvation and whether or not he finds it remains to be seen. Martinez pens a script that feels incomplete in that it sets up the main character, but doesn't really explain him or why he's doing what he does. Mauri's pencils are basic and handle the action sequences fairly well. Knight #1 is an ambitious first issue for sure that might find its footing in the next few issues.

Knight #1 is available now.