If you’ve ever heard this, stop me: seemingly ordinary teenagers learn that they have immense power before they are driven away by a world like them, like them, to hone their new abilities and save the world. But what if this child is the cause of destruction instead of salvation? That’s the question David Marquez asks in The Unchosen #1, a series owned by his creators. This focuses on dealing with everything that is hard to master her gifts and downplays her, from those who try to kill her to her fellow sorcerers.
Marquez is the definition of a “nova.” He is best known for his titles such as Miles Morales: Justice League with Spider-Man and Brian Michael Bendis, and the Current Spooky X-Men Series with Gail Simone. Unselected #1 marks his first foray into a creator-owned comic, and feels like Marquez is taking on something that accentuates his work with a superhero story and applies to this comic. Each page has intense action or larger images woven into it. Take the opening page, which begins with Aida slowly opening her eyes. As the panels are pushed out, it slowly becomes clear that she has a huge crater in the middle, raising questions about what she has led to this point.
The action sequence draws readers to #1, which probably doesn’t select, and Marquez doesn’t disappoint in that respect either. Fist hitting the face brings a giggle at someone’s nose like a can of soda and a gush of blood. Light sculpture weapons Pass the Golden or Eldrich Energy trail through the air. Places like sparkling white cathedrals, lush forests, or apocalyptic battlefields stand out thanks to Marissa Louise’s rich colour art. So does DC Hopkins lettering. When someone uses the mystical power known as “The Word,” the balloons of their words turn into mysterious symbol twists, and Hopkins makes it feel truly unnatural. It’s something you have to pick up and see for yourself.
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If Marquez doesn’t point out the work that makes him feel truly unique in his character, I will repent. With her wide-eyed expression and seemingly endless energy, Aida feels like a real teenager. In contrast, the mystical Vasha is a statue that moves with the power of a freight train. The real standout of the unselected #1 is the mysterious figure wrapped in a black robe chasing Aida. They are creepy, maddening parts and maddening parts, and this is the right kind of mix you need for the bad guys.
But while Marquez’s artwork is outstanding, his writing is an area that requires refinement. So far, unselected #1 only gives a glimpse into its mystical world, and while it will likely be revealed in future issues, it feels like it’s missing part of the story.
Unselected #1 is a solid start to the new fantasy universe thanks to David Marquez’s unique ideas and gorgeous artwork. Stories of anime fans and young adults, especially Percy Jackson and the Olympians, may have found their new favorite comic book.
“The Unchosen” #1 puts its own spin on proven genres
Not selected #1
Unselected #1 delivers a solid start to a new fantasy universe thanks to David Marquez’s unique ideas and gorgeous artwork.
A unique approach to proven ratios in the YA genre.
Marquez’s artwork is still as spectacular as ever, especially in terms of the battle scenes.
A comic that appeals to both fantasy and anime fans.
Buildings around the world seem a little sparse, but there is room for further investigation of future issues.
