ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Ten Thousand Black Feathers,’ Issue #1

Ten Thousand Black Feathers #1 is published by Image Comics, written by Jeff Lemire, with art by Andrea Sorrentino, colors by Dave Stewart, and letters by Steve Wands. Trish can hear them. But what does it mean? What are her dreams saying to her, and why do they lead her back home?

There are several key ingredients to a good mystery. First and foremost, the answer can’t be obvious. Though, some broad strokes of the hidden element should be apparent. Just enough to make the reader need to know the rest of the details. The secret must need to be revealed. It can’t just be something that would be neat to know. Its answering must be a necessity for the protagonist. Lastly, the best mysteries are the ones that make you need to know but also make you a little bit afraid to find out what is hidden behind the narrative’s curtain. In its first issue, Ten Thousand Black Feathers #1 sets up all of these elements magnificently.

From the book’s opening pages, where Trish’s haunting dreams initially captivate the reader, till the book’s closing images, Lemire’s tale never stops building intrigue and tension as it slowly reveals its glimpses into Trish’s life and what it is that haunts her. Despite so much going unanswered, Trish’s story has a compelling mixture of human and supernatural that brings sympathy for its protagonist and trepidation for what is to come in equal measure.

These elements blend as Ten Thousand Black Feathers #1 takes Trish home as her thoughts are darkened by whatever haunts her. Her journey into a past that seems to hold darkness and light for her is delivered through numerous impactful panels, thanks in no small part to Sorrentino’s art. Trish’s struggles throughout this story with both what is in front of her and what is inside her are displayed in a raw, unfiltered form, thanks to the artist’s willingness to fully commit to the story’s energy and tone.

The colors utilized by Stewart further help enhance the book’s visuals. While the core of the story is handled well by the colorist, I especially love how a couple of flashback sequences are colored. The choices made in these pages are effective while not falling back on obvious choices. It is different but still feels familiar and right. With only a single exception, the lettering does a great job of delivering the story clearly and effectively. It guides the reader through the story well and presents the characters’ voices in a way that fits the tone of the book.

When all is said and done, Ten Thousand Black Feathers #1 delivers a near flawless start for its story. Trish, her struggles, and what exactly lurks in the shadows and in her past are all elements of this story that I dearly hope Lemire and company can deliver a worthy payoff for in the coming issues.

Ten Thousand Black Feathers #1 is available on September 14th wherever comics are sold.

rating 5/5