Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Image Comics » ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Old Dog,’ Issue #1

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Old Dog,’ Issue #1

William TuckerBy William Tucker09/10/20224 Mins Read
Old Dog #1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Old Dog #1

Old Dog #1 is part of a brand new action series published by Image Comics, created, written, and art by Declan Shalvey, and letters by Clayton Cowles. An old C.I.A. Agent is nearing the end of his career. But after an accident changes him, he is provided with a new lease on life and a new set of missions.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The structure of this first chapter is deliberately misleading but brilliantly constructed. The beginning of the comic switches between two locations at different times, but they coincide with one another in a deceptive fashion. Shalvey superbly gets exposition into the comic early on before everything goes crazy, which sets a small status quo necessary for what comes next. The story is then flipped with a surprising concept, with several mysteries set up. What is excellent about Old Dog #1 is that the plot is relatively simple in the initial idea, yet Shalvey displays the potential for a wealth of opportunities through terrific storytelling. Realising the trick brought a smile to my face, then raised questions. The action is only glimpsed, but the spy-thriller elements are interesting.

The main character has a lot of backstory, and the start of a personality, but there is still a lot to learn. At first glance, Lynch is a gruff and bitter agent, tired after decades of service. It appears that the C.I.A. is entirely his life, as hints of tragedy and mistakes have driven him to the fringes of the ranks. Simultaneously quiet but answers when he is spoken, there is an air of a classic action star to his demeanor. The dialogue in the book is great for detailing the story but can get too bogged down in simply regaling the past.

The art is incredibly fitting for the gritty world Shalvey has created for himself. The art style shines because it is able to use both empty space and detail. Lines are only used when they need to be but beautifully capture so much. The buildings and cityscapes are stunning, able to create a sense of place without overwhelming the page. The level of detail is also pivotal for the main character in particular. In the beginning, Lynch is depicted as old and wartorn. His face shows signs of age, especially around the mouth and eyes. Due to events in the comic, his appearance changes sometimes. The effect Shalvey tries to achieve is presented with a remarkable method, one that isn’t immediately obvious and takes a minute to work out. 

The colours are beautiful and powerful. Shalvey uses the colours both to denote time and atmosphere. It is most often one tone on a page but with a stunning variety of shades within that one base colour to provide depth and shading. Other times this tactic is used but with small and slight additions of a distinctly contrasting tone, for a sniper scope or even just background buildings. This is, again, subtle, but it is crucial for depth perception. The font for the lettering is perfect for the grittiness of the book; however, there was a typo on one page.

Old Dog #1 is an intelligent book built on playing with time and misdirections. So much of this first issue contains the most glorious parts of a 90’s action movie, with the gruff lead to top it all off. The comic, having strong elements of a spy story and existing in multiple timelines, means that you need to read through it repeatedly to truly grasp what the creator intends. Shalvey displays mastery in all forms of creation as he constructs a world from scratch. The grittiness we are only shown a glimpse of other characters and the true direction of the series, meaning that there is still a lot to learn. 

Old Dog #1 is available wherever comics are sold September 28.

Old Dog #1
4

TL;DR

Old Dog #1 is an intelligent book built on playing with time and misdirections. So much of this first issue contains the most glorious parts of a 90’s action movie, with the gruff lead to top it all off. The comic, having strong elements of a spy story and existing in multiple timelines, means that you need to read through it repeatedly to truly grasp what the creator intends. Shalvey displays mastery in all forms of creation as he constructs a world from scratch.

  • Read Now on ComiXology with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘The Woman King’ is Equal Parts Powerful and Intimate
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys,’ Episode 10 – ” Defend! The Black American Ships”
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Tenement #1- But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Tenement,’ Issue #1

06/23/2023
Battle Chasers #10- But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Battle Chasers,’ Issue #10

06/14/2023
I Hate This Place #9

REVIEW: ‘I Hate This Place,’ Issue #9

06/07/2023
Almighty #5

REVIEW: ‘Almighty,’ Issue #5

06/07/2023
Almighty #4

REVIEW: ‘Almighty,’ Issue #4

05/03/2023
I Hate This Place #8

REVIEW: ‘I Hate This Place,’ Issue #8

05/03/2023

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here