Review: Canary #1 (of 6)

Scott Snyder pretty much broke onto the comics scene on a raft of horror tinged dramas, or what is it drama tinged horrors? Either way, the move from horror led to mainstream DC on the scalloped cowl of Batman before trying to shape the DC landscape. What followed was a raft of titles, leading to this, a return to horror and dark demons, both those of the land and those of a more personal nature; the type of book Snyder excelled in way back on Detective Comics.

When the latest of bizarre murders unsettles the almost formed United States; stepping up to investigate is Azreal William Holt; a man with a past, told at times in the pages of dime novels and a reputation borne of action. Holt is also a man with a past he yet to tame, much like the hills and hardships that is Utah in 1891. What joins all these dark deeds is the town of Canary!

Co-created and written by Snyder, the book is set a horror tinged western. Horror we are used to from Snyder, but westerns? Readers may well remember, however, that Snyder has played with similar tropes in American Vampire. His previous work then leads easily into the setup of this mini series, which is often a Snyder strength. It is that comfortability that belies the horror that lies between the various murders. In Holt, Snyder has created that flawed hero, a world weary survivor who would like to leave the past alone, in contrast some would say to Batman and his never being able to get beyond his own past. Dialogue wise, Snyder treads the line of exposition, educating the reader to the various situations and flows of the book married with hidden secrets and inner demons.

The art is supplied by co-creator Dan Panosian who delivers an edgier style than fans of his mainstream work, with traces of Cam Kennedy or even Rafaell Albuquerque on show. Given that this book is set in the wild wild west, sans Will Smith, I would expect rough lines, heavy inks and hard worn faces, Panosian produces these affects in spades! There is intent in nearly every panel, details of this horrifically historical crafted to bring the weight of this world and its inhabitants to its full bearing. Panosian also paints a vivid color scheme, with focuses on colors tainting every panel, be it the blues fo the past or the yellows of a dry and arid Utah landscape. Finally, Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith manage the various amounts of dialogue that spatters panels at different stages, which demands the readers attention.

Western’s seem to be in vogue at the moment; I have seen a few on Kickstarter. With Snyder adding a horror vibe, along with Panosian’s edgy, etchy line work, Canary could be a book worth singing about!

Writing – 4 Stars

Art & Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Co-created & written by; Scott Snyder
Co-created, art & colors by; Dan Panosian
Letters by; Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
Published by; Dark Horse Comics

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network