Emma Withington reviews Snowfall #2…
“It’s been ten years since Cooperative America has been threatened to this magnitude, but they remind us that divided we fall. While trust in the cooperative efforts of industry, government and community will surely see us through once more”
In Snowfall #1 (see preview here) we were introduced to a dystopian future set in the year 2045, ten years after the climate crash (Aka ‘oops we did it again’). Climate change had become irreversible and the vulnerable population were moved into resettlement zones. The world becoming dry and hot – snow a thing of the past.
This disaster birthed Cooperative America, backed by the Hazeltyne corporation (I never trusted my local convenience store). A rebel known as The White Wizard has made it snow once more, ten years to the day of the last, natural snowfall. Inspector Davitka Deal recognises the signs and with a copycat incident the same day, is on his case.
So far we have met Inspector Davitka Deal – ‘prime level assessor of climate crimes against the cooperative‘, Anthony Farrow – a rebellious young student who idolises a man branded by the state as an eco-terrorist, and The White Wizard AKA Dr. August Reasons (excellent name)- the fugitive ‘eco-terrorist’ who can tinker with nature and is fighting back against the ruling, corporate society.
When you hear ‘dystopian future’, a theme that is increasingly prevalent in our society, it can occasionally feel overused – Oh man, this could be another cliché that has been played out countless times…
While it’s difficult to avoid certain traits, snowfall doesn’t fall into the tired category and is steadily revealing what looks to be a complex world. The lines are still reasonably blurred as to who’s in the right – or who’s least in the wrong, creating enough intrigue and desire to know more. As writer Joe Harris mentions at the end of Snowfall #1, ‘ They’re not necessarily noble people, and they’re definitely not always sacrificing good stuff, as we’ll learn soon enough.’
In issue one Anthony is the main protagonist, however his White Wizard copycat attack and almost cringe-worthy attempt to talk to a fugitive in a way that would only invoke suspicion, presented him as a bit of a bull in a china shop and a liability. His redeeming feature being that he isn’t fooled by the Cooperative, only his actions so far have proved foolish. This doesn’t make him uninteresting by any means, if anything it raises a multitude of questions that I look forward to seeing answered!
Snowfall #2 continues with a classic art style, from Martin Morazzo. Snowfall #2 opens with a poignant splash page, a new city (New Mercy) rising up out of New York, a crumbling statue of liberty in the foreground – signifying the death of liberty perhaps? It is my favourite image from this issue, the fantastical snow globe panels a close second!
After following Anthony through issue one, up to his capture by Dr. August Reasons/The White Wizard, Snowfall #2 temporarily breaks from Anthony and brings us into the Hazletyne corporation, with a stronger focus on Inspector Davitka Deal. While the cover clearly states her allegiance to the cooperative, in a dramatic stance tinted in red, she believes her intentions are just with a firm belief in the law and justice. As she enters the Hazeltyne building it is revealed she has robotic enhancements and is not quite as autonomous as she seems…
As she presents her assessment on the snowfall and suggests warning the public against The White Wizard, it becomes clear that this isn’t the corporation’s main concern – her assessment wasn’t well received. Instead it’s their proprietary rights, Hazeltyne patents that have been put at risk and technology stolen by the White Wizard.
We also delve a little further into the mysterious, seemingly fantastical, world of the White Wizard – the fantasy fairy-tale narrative, weaving its way between the events of the comic is one of the most intriguing aspects of the series. Without giving too much away, the snow globe imagery from Snowfall #1 is expanded on – The White Wizard having quite a collection (holiday souvenir of choice?) Anthony, during what appears to be an out-of-body experience, follows the voice of a young girl and the globes are revealed to him along with a sinister secret…
Snowfall #2 leaves you wanting more with its pleasingly classic art style and begins to pick up the pace – including the first confrontation between Inspector Davitka Deal and The White Wizard, which is quite a climactic spread!
Emma Withington – Follow me on Twitter
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Originally published March 24, 2016. Updated March 2, 2020.
