Site icon Comic Watch

Tommy Gun Wizards #1: Here Lies Our Salvation

9.5/10

Tommy Gun Wizards #1

Artist(s): Sami Kivela

Colorist(s): Christian Ward & Dee Cunniffe

Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller

Published Date: 08/28/2019

Recap

Eliot Ness and his team of Untouchables work overtime taking on dangerous criminals that hide in the seedy underbelly of 1930s Chicago. Except in this world, Al Capone isn't dealing in alcohol, but in magic. With Lick, a drug that grants magical powers to anyone who ingests it, mobsters become wizards, ordinary men become monsters, and darker secrets than Ness can imagine lie at the heart of it all.

Review

Set in the prohibition era 1930’s, Tommy Gun Wizards is a high concept thriller that delves into the underbelly of society in a world filled with the influence of magic. Pillars of society ranging from organized religion to the police force have all become rooted in the struggle for law and order, but the clash between Detective Ness and Al Capone could threaten more than they know…

The twist of this series might feel as though it is simply swapping the prohibition of alcohol to magic, but it turns out to be so much more than that after we conclude issue #1. This is an expansive story that explores the intricacies of society through the lens of a fantastical element. With this foundation, the creative team establishes not just interesting characters, but begins to lay the groundwork for conflicting ideologies and agendas that go deeper than apparent motives. This creates a mysterious thriller that sucks you in and won’t let go.

There is something incredibly interesting about the dynamics at work in Tommy Gun Wizards #1. Writer Christian Ward has tapped into a concept that feels original and delivered a script that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The world we are thrown into feels both familiar and entirely foreign all at once, inviting readers to go deeper and challenge their preconceptions. Although there are a lot of characters introduced, the effective world building allows everything to happen in a way that is organic and engaging.

The artwork suits the nature of the story remarkably well, creating an aesthetic that is reminiscent of noir classics while not shying away from the spectacle of magic when necessary. The character work is solid, the color palette is unique and the letters contribute to the pacing truly well. The result is a book that feels as though it is firing on all cylinders across the entire creative team.

I will try to avoid heavy spoilers simply for the sake of preserving the surprise of the story as it is being discovered by fans. It’s one that is not just worthwhile for fans of this time period, but for anyone who loves a thrilling mystery! The series is off to a strong start with issue #1, and it seems as though things are only going to get more intense as we continue.

Don’t let this one slip by, check it out!

Final Thoughts

Tommy Gun Wizards #1 is an explosive first issue in a new high-concept series with remarkable potential. Effective world building and a uniquely interesting aesthetic help to make this the next can't miss book from Dark Horse!

Tommy Gun Wizards #1: Here Lies Our Salvation
  • Writing - 9/10
    9/10
  • Storyline - 10/10
    10/10
  • Art - 9.5/10
    9.5/10
  • Color - 9.5/10
    9.5/10
  • Cover Art - 9.5/10
    9.5/10
9.5/10
User Review
0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)
Exit mobile version