When you have a title like the one for Szymon Kudranski new Image Comics series, Something Epic, there is a lot that comes with that. Kudranski has a long history of great work from Spawn, Doctor Strange, Punisher, and more from Image, Marvel, and DC Comics. With his history of great comic book work I’m interested to see what story Kudranski creates as both the writer and artist for Something Epic. Find out with our advance review of Something Epic #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer and Artist: Szymon Kudranski
Translation: Szymon Kudranski and Atom Morwill
Letterer: DC Hopkins
SOLICITATION
“IMAGINATION IS REAL. Outside our perception, creative thought takes physical form, with only a handful of individuals known as Epics able to interact with this wondrous hidden world. But for fourteen-year-old Danny Dillon, accepting these responsibilities himself won’t be easy—or safe. Lose yourself in a world of endless fantasy and creativity, where superheroes, monsters, magical creatures, and cartoon characters live and breathe alongside us.” – Image Comics
REVIEW
Szymon Kudranski gives use a comic book that is a pure visual delight with Something Epic #1. The story in Something Epic is almost secondary to just getting the chance to experience Kudranski flex his muscle as an artist. It is truly special seeing how Kudranski taps into the world of imagination for this story.
Having the story of Something Epic told through the perspective of a fourteen-year-old, Danny Dillion, is a great set-up for exploring what it means to have an imagination. You can see how Kudranski as an artist is injecting some of his own experience into what it means for Danny as a young teen to still have a growing imagination. While some of his own experiences may be used for the basis of the character Kudranski makes sure Danny stands as his own individual.
Creating a sense of individuality for Danny is handled well through how he is shown interacting with the rest of the world. His mom specifically takes an important role in filling us in with why Danny acts in such an isolated way. Growing up being told something is not right with you from your own home can easily paint how you carry yourself with the rest of the world. We see that with Danny as he lives in his own head in more ways than one.
That in turn makes Kudranski showcasing his strength as artist to take on a whole other meaning. Because simply seeing how versatile Kudranski as an artist is impressive on its own. When you take in what that means for Danny’s character specifically Kudranski artwork is made even better. Now there are certainly times when Kudranski does a bit too much with the inner monologue. But even in those moments you are quickly reminded of how Danny is a fourteen-year-old boy who can only live in his own thoughts.
The way things end up playing out does leave you wondering where exactly Danny’s character arc will lead him to discover. Whether that is showing there is a great mythology at play or if this is something else entirely is left up to question. With certain teases towards the end of Something Epic #1 there are many directions Kudranski can take the story. All of these roads have plenty of potential.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Szymon Kudranski delivers one of the best-looking comic books you will find on the market today with Something Epic #1. This is a comic book that leave you in awe of Kudranski artistic abilities. The story itself will grab you with how it taps into the same grand imagination that Kudranski showcases in his artwork.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10