Review: Lost Boy- TPB

Returning from a Ski trip, Jack and his father suffer a devastating car accident that changes their lives forever. Jack is left alone in the wilderness of Wyoming, forcing him to act quickly to survive while showing profound selflessness in the face of his mortality. Lost Boy is an intense and heart-affirming story that showcases not only the desperation of being alone in the great outdoors but also the power of hope and compassion.

Written, drawn and coloured by Jay Martin, an accomplished music video director. Lost Boy’s gut-wrenching tension runs on a single thread: survival! These types of stories are appealing as they strip characters down to their core, revealing their true face when put in life-or-death circumstances. Lost Boy goes one step further as the main character is at an age where he doesn’t necessarily know who he is, and through naive eyes, he quickly learns that there are unimaginable depths of strength at the edge of tough decisions.

Having also been a storyboard artist on films such as I Am Legend, Hunger Games Catching Fire and Constantine. Martin easily sketches out panels and layouts with a high level of craftsmanship. And like many of the good independent graphic novels, much of the story is told without words as the action rides along in cinematically laid out panels.

Reminiscent of the modest history of survival movies, Lost Boy will keep you squirming on the edge of your seat. From the opening scene of a bird’s eye view of a grey station wagon driving through the mountains, we’re immersed in striking raw visuals that build an ever more intimate relationship with the story. The pale blue, grey and eerie deep black colouring wraps the tension in a moody thriller-type darkness. This is particularly appealing in the scenes set under the moonlight, extenuating the action with beautiful splashes of white.

Lost Boy is a straightforward action-adventure tale of a boy waking up to his instincts while remaining faithful to the kindness in his heart. The slowly building action constantly raises the stakes as the main character grows with each new threat he faces. This makes Lost Boy one of the best action and human stories you’ll likely read in a comic book this year.

Writing – 4
Art – 4
Colours – 4

SCORE: 4/5

Writer/Artist: Jay Martin
Letterer: Frank Cvetkovic