Wayward #28
Publisher: Image
Story: Jim Zub
Pencils: Steven Cummings
Colors: Tamra Bonvillain
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Cover: Steven Cummings & Tamra Bonvillain
Back Matter: Zack Davisson
Wayward has been taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride since this supernatural war across Japan began. So with things coming to an end it’s only fitting that the creative team would raise the stakes and throw something at these kids that threatens to destroy everything and win the battle for Nurarihyon and the rest of the Yokai unwilling to give up their top spot to the young upstarts.
This latest chapter is one that starts with a huge surprise you probably didn’t see coming and definitely will put a smile on the faces of those who have been on board since the beginning. However, Zub doesn’t let us stay excited for too long as we’re quickly reminded there’s a rampaging Oni killing people and the children are woefully unprepared to deal with him. This is one of the things about the story that has kept many on the edge of their seats because regardless of how powerful these kids have become it hasn’t always translated into a win. Zub has put them through hell over the course of this tale but has also delivered some quality character growth along the way.
What can be said about the art team of Cummings and Bonvillain that hasn’t been said over the past twenty-eight issues? The opening sequence beautifully captures the sadness and caring of the moment and when things shift to the supernatural, Bonvillain’s colours take it to the next level. This ends up making that full page reveal one of the best in the book. As the action picks up, Cummings conveys the power and brutality of the Oni as he rampages through the streets and we even see a battle between an army of Kappas and the kids. It’s a classic chase scene that moves with the fluidity of water and delivers several tense and exciting moments. It’s been great seeing one art team on a title for this long delivering a consistently well drawn sequential story.
I’d also like to add that Zack Davisson has been consistently dropping so much knowledge as his essays add a new layer to the main story. Yes, his insight on Japanese mythology is that good and learning more about the world that these characters inhabit has been a nice little journey. He makes reading Wayward like finding all the loot in a dungeon and then discovering a secret chamber with a legendary weapon just when you thought it was all over!
If you haven’t been reading Wayward for some time then this issue might not be where you’ll want to start. Even with the recap and introductions before the story it won’t have much of an impact on you. However, I’d suggest picking up the trades and starting from the beginning before hopping in close to the end. Other than that, this is another issue of Wayward that deserves a thumbs up!
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
