Andrew Newton reviews the first issue of Dynamite Entertainment’s new Supernatural comic book series…
For long-time fans of Supernatural, Dynamite’s Supernatural #1 feels like it has come from an early season, it’s like putting on that familiar flannel shirt and experiencing the dark charm that made the Winchester brothers’ adventures so addictive. Greg Pak wastes no time setting the tone, opening the issue in classic Supernatural fashion with a mysterious death caused by something that definitely doesn’t belong in the natural world. It’s the kind of opener that you would see in the episodes, complete with the eerie sense that things are about to go very wrong.
When we first see Sam and Dean, they’re in a diner with Dean flirting shamelessly with the waitress while Sam is lost in those terrifying visions of Jess. It’s a simple addition to the story, but one that fans will instantly recognise from the show. Before long, the brothers are on the road, armed with fake badges and names taken straight from Dean’s pop-culture obsessions, ready to track down the latest monster of the week.
Greg Pak’s writing captures the brothers’ characters perfectly. Dean’s ‘bad-boy’ swagger, confidence and charm are all there, while Sam’s more thoughtful and methodical approach gives the story its balance. The conversation between the brothers is spot on, it’s sharp, witty, and true to the characters that fans know by heart. Pak makes it obvious that he understands not just the roots of the show, but also the bond that makes Sam and Dean’s relationship work.
Eder Messias’s art does a good job of setting the atmosphere and the scene. The colour palette uses darker, moody tones that are fitting for haunted locations. Brighter colours are used when the supernatural elements arrive, emphasising the contrast between our world and the otherworldly. The only real downside is that Sam and Dean don’t look much like their television versions. I assume likeness rights might have limited how close Messias could go, but for fans who’ve spent years watching Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, it’s a bit of a letdown, and for some, it may even break immersion.
Issue #1 of Supernatural sees a welcome return to the show’s monster-hunting roots. Those fans missing the light-hearted horror, classic rock, and the brothers’ bickering charm will find this issue offers a satisfying, if visually imperfect, ride back into the hunt.
With an interesting ‘monster-of-the-week’ style story, Supernatural #1 brings a damn-sight more excitement and enjoyment than Season 15, Episode 20 ever did. If you can get past how unlike Jensen and Jared the characters look, then you’re in for a treat.
Rating – 9/10 rock salt shells.
Andrew Newton
