Connect with us
Savage #1 Review

Comic Books

Savage #1 Review

What does it take to make a person lose their humanity and resort to their baser instincts? To survive, sometimes we must do things society frowns upon, but if it means staying above ground… turning savage can sometimes be understandable.

Valiant Entertainment’s new series Savage explores these themes and more; is it good?

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Savage #1 (Valiant Entertainment)

Savage #1 Review

So what’s it about? Read the full preview to find out.

Why does this book matter?

Valiant’s new series about a boy who fights dinosaurs? Count me in!

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Savage #1 Review
Watch that arm kid!

Savage #1 opens with a full page and only the words “Book One,” which gives the reader the sense the story within will be multifaceted and epic in nature. The very next page confirms that fact, with a boy peering down at eggs in a painterly style; then come the dinosaurs. B. Clay Moore writes a well paced story that draws you in from the start, makes you ask questions and delivers some answers — which amounts to a very promising start. I continued to think about those words “Book One” as I read the book, knowing this is an origin of sorts, but also because we’re in store for a story that is successfully surprising and intriguing.

Moore’s strong character work and efficient storytelling bring the reader into the characters’ world in a natural way. The first few pages, without any dialogue, do well to capture the emotions of the lead character (who also graces the cover), and a cut to “Then” (in the past) tells us this savage boy fighting dinosaurs started as an ordinary baby from our ordinary world.

The characters within Savage are unique; who ever thought a main character would be a pro soccer player with a wife who may (or may not) love the tabloid exposure for herself? This goes along with the unexpected nature of a young boy basically knife-fighting a dinosaur.

This is aided by the exceptional art that’s very realistic. Lewis Larosa draws the opening pages in a gorgeous style reminiscent of paintings that draws you in and almost make you question if it’s all a dream. It’s vivid, real, and brutal all at once. Clayton Henry caps off the rest of the issue with a more conventional comic book look with thin line work that does well to capture the body language of the characters. There’s acting going on in their faces too and you’ll get a bit more information via the art which allows the dialogue to be a little less exposition heavy.

It can’t be perfect can it?

How the hell does a professional soccer player stay so fit and drink so much? Ha, in truth, I actually did think of this, but also because it didn’t seem to matter all that much to the narrative. We’ll see if his alcoholism plays out later, but it seemed to be a character element that was introduced simply to reiterate the already obvious tension in the marriage.

Savage #1 Review
Happy marriage…or not.

Is It Good?

Savage #1 is so well written you’ll find the pages without dinosaurs just as intriguing. This is efficient storytelling that’ll make you care and want more. What’s more savage, the boy in the opening pages fighting dinosaurs, or the excellent storytelling?

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke' X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke'

X-Men Monday #241 – Steve Foxe Talks ‘X-Men ’97,’ ‘Dead X-Men,’ and ‘X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke’

Comic Books

Films to check out at SXSW Films to check out at SXSW

Films to check out at SXSW

Movies

'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age 'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

‘X-Men’ #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup