Mars Attacks: First Born #1

[Ian Jane]

Published by: IDW Publishing
Released on: May 14, 2014
Writer: Chris Ryall
Artist: Sam Kieth
Cover artist: Sam Kieth
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After the Martian invasion decimated large populations of the Earth's inhabitants, at least two people are still breathing and living underground. Uncle Woody and his niece Clare are holed up in a basement trying to get some semblance of order back to their lives, and they have a third mouth to feed: a little Martian baby they call “baby”. Woody is working on some sort of device, as yet to be disclosed, and has taken on the parental role to both his niece and the abandoned alien baby.

Unbeknownst to Clare, the Martians have been returning to Earth and hovering over their house. They know the baby is in there, and Woody does his best to keep this knowledge from Clare. You just know that isn't going to last. She's going to find out. And it's probably a good bet that Woody's protector skills aren't going to have much chance against those skin-melting ray guns.

The first issue kind of putt-putts along like a small outboard motor, laying down the premise, establishing the characters, and giving a little back story on the invasion, but it's a bit lackluster. Dialogue flows well, just nothing much happens. Yeah, first issue and all that, but there was nothing to snag the reader in and make them eager for the next issue.

Sam Kieth's unique artwork style is as always pleasant to the eyes, and it's no less interesting here than in anything previous he's done since The Maxx. Missing are the thick and bold inks that this reader loves so much in Kieth's art. Instead the images look like they are done in colored pencils, giving things a less striking appearance. Whether or not it's colored pencils, it's a softer look and took a little getting used to.

This first issue didn't have the hit-over-the-head impact one might have hoped for, but it's certainly worth looking into, especially if you dig Kieth art. Of course this reader will come back for more. Mars Attacks, Sam Kieth…that's a built-in audience right there.

[Ian Jane]

I actually really dig the colored pencil style Kieth uses in this series so far. Like you say, it's not as dark but I think it works in the context of the story in that it revolves around kids and stuff - but I'm biased, I love pretty much everything I've ever seen him illustrate.

[Todd Jordan]

I like it, it just isn't, as you said, as dark as his past works. And Mars Attacks should be dark. The art in this just leaves me with an incomplete feeling. Like dinner was good, but not filling.