From Red 5 Comics is a new series – 78 MPH #1.
Earth is no longer what it used to be. An environmental catastrophe transformed the atmosphere into a large magnifying glass that enhances solar radiation; a nuclear disaster slowed down the speed of rotation of the planet. Anyone that moves slower than 78 miles per hour will not escape from the scorching sun. Only a small group of people was able to survive on this new world by constantly moving in huge rolling city, never stopping.
Author: Mauro Mantella
Artist: Tomas Aira
I would usually say there is a lot of world-building in a story like this. While it is true there is, first there has to be some destruction before that world is built.
In this case, it is our own. In learning the introduction we see that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The good intentions, in this case, is the repairing of the ozone layer and the hell is our own scorched earth.
Burning, and out of its orbit.
Here we meet our characters as they travel no slower than 78 miles per hour. We get some learning of the ways of their clan, and some of the names to recognise. It’s well played out and gives us a lot of information in this first issue.
There is also a semblance of hope in this world, with the sun bearing down on them. I like the way the suspense is played out, with only some minor hints (at the halfway point and the very end) of what is to come.
As a first issue, there are these vague hints, but there is a lot of good explained here.
I especially enjoy the art, there are some really good aspects made with the style and the colour schemes, which could seem restrictive, but really put you into this new world of running from the dawn.
A good beginning, and something I am looking forward to getting into.
