From Zenescope Entertainment this week, a Neverland Annual – my thoughts here.
Neverland is a realm filled with terror and gripping action and adventure, whether it is vicious pirate battles in flying ships or whole islands filled with giant, man-eating, killer crocs. One person, Nathan Cross, knows these horrors too well. Haunted since childhood by this cursed land, he
Writer: Jay Sandlin
thought he had escaped these nightmares, but now, back in the place he never wanted to see again, he is searching for a way to save someone he cares about.
Artwork: Cem Dayioglu, Hakan Aydin, Alessio Mariani
This was a full-on read. From beginning to end there was a lot to take in. It really does work in this annual format, as I think a normal monthly copy would have been too small.
It starts off with some excellent croc action, with Cross taking on a big crocodile. This seems to be staple in Neverland, and I like the commentary on it. The flashback works really well and that, along with some further background details later on are revisited in a new light. It’s well written and well played for this story.
There is some background knowledge needed, but it is dealt with well, explaining for newer readers and leaving you satisfied with what is going on. It then twists that knowledge nicely.
The art is excellent, with some good scenes being played out. There are many types of people to deal with in this story and they are all shown well. There are some excellent use of dark and light, as well as magic. Special mention to the lettering here, with some good use of the speech from the ‘Lost Boys’ and Pan.
The story pans (no pun intended) out well, with some great ideas and well told story. The characters all have some good time to shine, with Cross taking the brunt of it all.
The finish is well done, with something for the future and something more for Neverland – hopefully more to come more regularly here.
