What if the end wasn’t the end? It’s a question that this latest series from Vault Comics explores. End After End #1 is published by Vault Comics and written by David Andry and Tim Daniel, with art by Sunando C., colors by Kurt Michael Russell, and letters by Jim Campbell.
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Walter Willems finds his accidental end in front of a subway car. However, his story unexpectedly continues. But perhaps he wishes it hadn’t. Waking up in the middle of a mythical war waged against an insatiable darkness and conscripted to fight for undisclosed reasons would give anyone pause. And being little more than cannon fodder doesn’t make Walter confident he’ll survive in this bizarre, hostile world for long.
End After End #1 is just the beginning of an interesting premise; however, the first issue offers more confusion than clarity. Perhaps that’s the point, with the focus on Walter and his struggle to acclimate to a strange world that immediately tries to kill him upon arrival. He fights to survive because no one really knows what or why they’re fighting. The readers are left in the dark as much as Walter is, but this deliberate choice feels like it obscures more than it should.
With the emphasis on Walter’s fumbles in battle and the lessons he’s learning bit by bit, there’s no information on the nature of the enemies, the world, or even their objective. And even with the focus being on Walter, we learn very little about him. Who was he before all this? Beyond the wide-eyed man who can barely lift a shield, let alone wield a sword, what is his personality like? Unfortunately, End After End #1 leaves much to be desired in this realm.
While the plot remains vague, the artwork adds delightful details. The army Walter becomes a part of is a conglomeration of people from different times and places, mythical beasts and otherworldly people, and weapons ranging from real to fantastical. Add in the demonic enemies, and you have a wonderful collection of characters that I’m sure future issues will expound upon.
With weighty lines and dark shading, the fearful enemies come to life, and Walter’s dismay is palpable. The color work adds just the right amount of emotion, with the calm nights by the fire bathed in blues and the action backed by purples and oranges. The letters work well to support the artwork, never overshadowing the action or characters and adding emotion in just the right places. The visual side of End After End #1 serves the plot well, and I’m excited to see what new sights come along with the following issues.
End After End #1 leaves readers with a vague idea of where the plot is going and is a bit thin on the characterization, but it is only the first issue in this series. The plot’s premise is undoubtedly fascinating, and the characters have a lot of promise. Nevertheless, End After End #1 offers a middling story that hopefully will take wings with future issues.
End After End #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.
End After End #1
TL;DR
End After End #1 leaves readers with a vague idea of where the plot is going and is a bit thin on the characterization, but it is only the first issue in this series. The plot’s premise is undoubtedly fascinating, and the characters have a lot of promise.
