Review - Elsewhere #1 (@imagecomics)

"I'm Amelia."

Amelia Earhart did a lot of things in her time that were awe-inspiring. While doing all that awesome stuff, she disappeared and the mystery surrounding her disappearance continues to this day. Elsewhere #1 from Image Comics presents a scenario where she ended up in a very strange new land. The issue is written by Jay Faerber, illustrated by Sumeyye Kesgin, colored by Ron Riley and lettered by Thomas Mauer.

Mysteriously transported to a strange new world filled with flying beasts and alien civilizations, Amelia desperately struggles to return home. Along the way, she forges alliances and makes enemies as she goes from aviator to freedom fighter in a rebellion against a merciless warlord!

Anachronistic tales are always exciting and Faerber definitely leans into that without apologies. Very little is said about Amelia Earhart's backstory as it pertains to the story itself; rather, Faerber will likely delve into that as the series progresses. Most of the first issue is spent explaining where Amelia possibly disappeared to and sets the stage for the conflict the plot seeks to resolve. Faerber channels much of that plot through two characters in Cort and Tavel, both of whom are struggling to escape a despotic dictator. The fantasy setting is restrained somewhat as Faerber doesn't go overboard in that regard yet.

Kesgin's artwork is a great fit for the narrative in that it provides an appropriate level of fantasy. The characters are rendered with sharp, angular lines that give them defining features against the fantasy backdrops. Those features are especially apparent when it comes to the facial expressions as Kesgin infuses the characters with an appropriate level of response to the seemingly incredulous scenarios that Amelia, Cort and Tavel all find themselves faced with. The panels are laid out in a way that provides for views that are cinematic in scope and readers can clearly follow along with Kesgin's thought process. And the colors by Riley are dark in a way that make give the setting an appropriate level of terror that befits a world being ruled by a fierce dictator.

Elsewhere #1 is a very interesting take on the character of Amelia Earhart and her disappearance. Amelia is very bit as plucky as you'd expect--even if she's faced with a completely strange situation. Faerber's dialogue is effective at getting the reader up to speed on the world as it is while also offering some intriguing plot threads. Kesgin's artwork is imaginative and gives the world an otherworldly sense to it that makes the story that much more believable. Elsewhere #1 is a very creative approach for one of history's pioneers, even if that approach is something rooted more in fiction than fact.

Elsewhere #1 is available now.