News from the Fallout #1
Creative Team
writers: CHRIS CONDON
artist: JEFFREY ALAN LOVE GREENE
letterer: HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU
publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Reviewed by Rossano D’Angelo
News from the Fallout #1 explores the dark path of the pursuit of power with a mysterious script and a gritty visual style.
The script by Chris Condon doesn’t give away much: the narrative throws us straight into the action with little setup, making it all the more engaging.
This mini-series begins in Nevada in 1962. The troops at Gaines Army Base are getting ready to execute an atomic test under the command of General McCoy, but something is not right: they’re too close to the explosion's fallout. Once the toxic cloud dissipates, a strange red snow begins to fall on the soldiers. What happens next is pure horror. Readers will soon realize this might not have been a simple human error.
If the narrative’s goal is to make the reader feel the pressure of the situation, the artwork by Jeffrey Alan Love doubles down. The straight lines and the use of black and white are the perfect combination to deliver such a gritty and dark plot.
Additionally, an interesting detail is the style used for the intro and the outro of this first issue. The redacted introduction, as if it were a classified document, and the vintage cafe’s menu outro are a great addition for the reader's eyes.
Final Verdict
News from the Fallout #1 introduces the readers to the old days of the Cold War with its concise and sharp narrative. This mini-series premiere from Chris Condon and Jeffrey Alan Love delivers a stellar debut.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.5 |
| Story/Plot | 9.5 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.5 |
| Colors | 9.5 |
| Final Score | 9.5/10 |