Rachel Bellwoar reviews Romulus #1…
Our world isn’t free. All of us, for generations, have lived under the secret control of The Ancient Order of Romulus. One young woman, raised by them, trained by them, betrayed by them, must push through her fear to take a stand against the silent evil that masters our world. Her name is Ashlar, and her war begins with the brutal first chapter of the new Image series ROMULUS, from writer BRYAN HILL (POSTAL) and artist NELSON BLAKE II (MAGDELENA).
More a question of structure, than quality, Image Comics’ Romulus #1, written by Bryan Hill with art by Nelson Blake II, has a rich backstory but feels slightly top-heavy in its delivery of it.
Then again, if Romulus has been running the planet since before history began, covering twenty-two years in the first half of issue one doesn’t put a dent in this story’s reach.
Starting with her day of birth, Ashlar narrates the events of her life, including the burgeoning doubts of her mother, Axis, towards the organization they serve. Trained since age ten to become one of Romulus’ Wolves, these Masters of the World would have Wolves kill whoever they ask them to kill. Then the Wolves begin to be phased out. Their replacements, Hunters, are easier to control, their strength provided by a shortcut of pills, that’s a ready platform for discussion of enhancement drug use.
Even with the option to go back later and fill in conditions behind statements, like the opening panel’s “I’m a girl, so I get to live,” twenty-two years is a lot of information to process at once. Momentum in this issue is high but at the price of not getting to explore important relationships and beliefs before they quickly transform over the years. A pre-knowledge of the myth of Romulus and Remus isn’t necessary for comprehension but is worth brushing up on for insight and appreciation of details (including the “girl” line) that are possible homages.
Using present tense verbs doesn’t change the fact that we’re dealing with a lot of narration. The most direct means of relaying so much information, it should drag on at places. That it doesn’t comes from a variety of lettering (Troy Peteri) and art that distracts and keep this section from feeling monotonous, including beautiful moments of minimalism that zoom in on a character’s eyes, or place them in front of a solid, bold colored backdrop. Also beautiful are moments where Ashlar’s role as a Wolf, metaphorically addressed in language, becomes briefly visual, through unannounced depictions of her as the animal.
Whether or not you might wish the backstory covered was less expansive, it does get a lot of the grunt explanation out of the way, leaving the second half of the first issue entirely devoted to an interesting present day. With Ashlar’s new goal being revenge on Romulus (a page depicting the methods they employed to destroy the Wolves ensuring you understand why), will her continued use of their same methods of murder allow her to find the vengeance she seeks?
Rating: 6/10
Rachel Bellwoar
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Originally published September 21, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
