Ash Part 1
Creative Team
writer: DANIEL LOEB
illustrator: ALESSANDRO SACCOTELLI
publisher: BUILT IN A DAY COMICS
Ash Part 1 serves as a deep commentary on the willingness to survive in a world full of brutality and apathy.
Set in London in the 1500s, this series follows a boy named Ash. This name is both part of his story but also cruelly a nickname as he is employed as one of the many expendable child chimney sweepers.
Written by Daniel Loeb with art by Alessandro Saccotelli, readers shouldn’t expect to find cheer in this setting, although it’s possible subsequent entries will find some light for the child protagonist.
The script from Loeb balances providing historical context to Ash’s situation while presenting a character readers will surely hope will see better days. Perfectly paired with the story is Saccotelli’s black and white art style of detailed sketch-esque design—almost like the paper is beautifully illustrated with the very soot that covers Ash.
As this is the series premiere, there are lots of possibilities for where Ash’s story can go. Part 1 begins with dirty cobblestone streets filled with beggars and then shows an older Ash surrounded by grunt work near dead animals. Whether or not this is symbolic of Ash’s journey remains to be seen, but by the last few panels readers will be curious about what he makes of his situation.
While unfortunately child labor still exists more than 400 years after the setting of Ash, the creative team presents a story that both shows the harshness of a youth spent working inhumane jobs while boldly reminding readers the power of resiliency.
