Review - Wyrd #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"It's Wyrd...it happened again."

Dealing with issues around the world takes certain types of people. Sometimes it's diplomats, sometimes it's military. And sometimes it's someone else entirely like in Wyrd #1 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written by Curt Pires, illustrated by Antonio Fuso, lettered by Stefano Simons and lettered by Micah Myers.

There are problems, cases, too strange for US law enforcement to solve. Pitor Wyrd is the one who solves them--for a fee, of course. An unaging, invincible detective with a penchant for the strange, Wyrd is the one the government calls when things go very badly and very strange. This issue: Crimea. A failed attempt at recreating a certain US super-soldier. A monster roaming the countryside. A trail of bodies.

Pires opens up the book in a very bold way that leaves the reader wondering about the severity of the character(s) involved. Wyrd is characterized as some sort of super-spy who has a unique ability to heal from just about any affliction which makes him perfectly suited for missions that others likely won't touch. Physical traits aside, Pires also gives Wyrd a healthy dose of really not giving a what about anything but himself; it's certainly not a new approach for a lead character, but it works really well here. The plot otherwise is a fairly typical spy mission story, although Pires freshens it up a bit by also making the issue something of an origin story. The dialogue is a mix between conversational exchanges and narration, both of which Pires uses well to move through the story quite rapidly.

Fuso's artwork is very stylistic in its approach. Wyrd is illustrated with a squared-jaw and sharp physique, giving him something of a noir look that dovetails nicely with his characterization as part-sleuth, part-spy. The first few pages though are particularly jarring for their brutality as Fuso manages to impress upon the reader everything about Wyrd's abilities without being overtly grotesque. The panels line up very neatly throughout the issue and do a great job of showcasing two sides of a battle in volleying back and forth. Simons' colors are mostly on the darker side of things, adding into the notion that Wyrd and his world is shrouded in violence and mystery.

Wyrd #1 is a lot of fun for a first issue in a somewhat sadistic way. Wyrd isn't a new character by any stretch, but he is a character who offers a new take on an old formula. From an ongoing perspective, the issue feels largely self-contained and more like a one-shot despite the fact that Pires clearly has a few other tricks up his sleeve for future issues. Fuso's artwork emphasizes shading over detail to keep things mysterious for all the players involved. Wyrd #1 is a lot of fun and worth taking the time to check out.

Wyrd #1 is available January 30.