Beastlands Issue #1 Review – A Fantasy Adventure with Depth
- A to Geekz
- Apr 17, 2021
- 3 min read
Welcome to A to Geekz! If you love stories that mix kings and queens, mythical beasts called Keepers, and a ragtag group of teens, then Beastlands is a comic you won’t want to miss. Add in some serious Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra vibes, and you’ve got an exciting, high-stakes fantasy adventure.
In this review, we’ll be diving into Beastlands Issue #1—breaking down the story, artwork, and themes. If you don’t want to miss out on more geeky content, hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications!
Also, if you haven’t already, check out our sit-down interview with Beastlands co-creator and writer Curtis Clow, where we discuss the comic in depth. Now, let’s get into the review!
The Creative Team – A Perfect Collaboration
Curtis Clow delivers a compelling story, but what makes Beastlands truly stand out is his choice of collaborators. The artwork, done by the talented South Korean artist Joe, is phenomenal. Her style blends Eastern and Western influences, much like Avatar: The Last Airbender. It has that anime-inspired feel without being entirely anime—a perfect mix that enhances the story’s world-building.
The combination of Clow’s storytelling and Joe’s illustrations makes for a visually stunning and immersive reading experience.
The World of Beastlands
The setting of Beastlands is a familiar yet unique medieval world. At first glance, it seems like your typical fantasy realm, but what sets it apart is the presence of Keepers—mythical beasts that serve as companions to humans.
However, not everyone sees Keepers as friends. The story quickly establishes a dark and mature tone, with Keepers being hunted and even executed. Right from the first few pages, we witness a Keeper’s brutal decapitation—a shocking moment that immediately raises the stakes.
The comic also tackles heavy themes like loyalty, survival, and even suicide, proving that Beastlands is more than just an action-packed fantasy. It has depth and emotional weight, making it stand out in the genre.
Pacing and Story Development
Issue #1 does a great job setting up the world, characters, and conflict. However, at times, the pacing feels a bit rushed. A lot is happening in this first issue, and while it mostly balances action and exposition well, some moments could have benefited from a slower, more detailed approach.
That being said, if you stick with the series, the pacing improves in later issues. Having read Issues #2 and #3, I can confidently say that the story gets even better as it progresses. The characters are explored in more depth, and the relationships between them become even more compelling.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Beastlands Issue #1 is a strong start to what promises to be an epic series. It introduces an intriguing world, lovable characters, and high-stakes conflicts, all wrapped in stunning artwork.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, adventure, and coming-of-age stories with a darker edge, Beastlands is definitely worth checking out. And don’t forget to watch our interview with Curtis Clow, where we discuss the first three issues in more detail.
As always, I’m Eddy, reminding you to keep it geeky. Peace!
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