[Comic Book Review] Image Comics' PARADISO #1 by Ram V, Dev Pramanik, Dearbhla Kelly & Aditya Bidikar

PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of PARADISO #1 from Image Comics. Available December 6th, the creative team for this series features writing from Ram V, with art from Dev Pramanik, colors by Dearbhla Kelly, and letters from Aditya Bidikar.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…

PARADISO #1

Writer: Ram V
Artist: Dev Pramanik
Colorist: Dearbhla Kelly
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar

Cover Artists:
Dev Pramanik (Cover A)
Christian Ward (Cover B)

Order Codes:
OCT170582 (Cover A)
OCT170583 (Cover B)

Available: December 6, 2017
Digital : $3.99
Print: $3.99

The Midnight Event forever changed the world. Now, centuries later, Jack Kryznan arrives on the outskirts of Paradiso City, haunted by fragments of childhood memories and in possession of a mysterious device—one with the power to change the destiny of this living breathing metropolis, the people who dwell within, and the guardians who strive for and against it.

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
PARADISO #1

Writing:

Ram Venkatesan’s true gift is his storytelling. In having read other titles from Ram, he never ceases to amaze me not only with his range, but the heart and depth put into all the material. Terrific introduction, well-established locales, remarkable delivery, characters that’ll keep you guessing, and a city with intelligence? Color me intrigued.

Many try to tell science fiction stories or dystopian tales, often set within a somewhat limited environment or confined narrative. But what Ram V brings to Image Comics is a sci-fi epic filled with unlimited potential; a world you want to explore, a story you want to continue to unravel, and an adventure you won’t want to miss. Ram V is about to drop a massive entry to the sci-fi genre and the scary thing is, as much as this first issue impressed me, I feel we’ve only just begun to see what this brilliant mind can unleash.

Art:

Artist Devmalya Pramanik paints a rough yet beautiful landscape in PARADISO. In a world of thievery, shady dealings, and where people struggle to survive, it’s that gruff exterior the illustrator brings to add another layer to the overall product. This is a harsh world and it’s with Dev’s vision that Ram’s story truly comes to life. What I, personally, enjoy and appreciate the most from Pramanik is the emotion that comes out in his work. When you pick up a copy of PARADISO #1, after reading it through like most do, go back over again and simply look at the illustrations. Ignore the dialogue and you’ll find an artistically beautiful, and at times powerful, added dimension to the book. Fantastic work and great look for the series!

Colorist Dearbhla Kelly is the perfect compliment to Pramanik. Much of Dev’s contribution have multiple folds/lines (skin wrinkles or folds in clothes, for example), and Dearbhla handles them nicely. There are a number of panels, especially the page with the purple night sky, that was just so wispy and flowing, that capture your eye for a bit longer and have you admire the artwork as a whole. Where she truly shines (pun intended) is with her sense of light sources. You’ll see moments where some people’s faces are glowing, as if basking in sunlight, all based on Kelly’s colors. Here’s hoping Dearbhla remains the colorist for the entire run. Her work would be missed and possibly difficult to duplicate.

I loved everything letterer Aditya Bidikar added to the comic. He packs a punch with his intense sound effects, literally adding to the intensity of the moment. Bidikar is actually shows his range in lettering: from whispers to android/robotic voices, captions and dialogue, sound effects. But whaat did catch my eye was I liked the dialogue throughout. I’m not sure if the words looked perfect because the bubble wrapped just right, or if the placement and alignment was just beyond spot-on. Needless to say, it impressed me.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

Sci-fi fans, rejoice! The creative team of Venkatesan, Pramanik, Kelly, and Bidikar bring you a city of paradise…or is it? For a debut issue, PARADISO #1 delivers on numerous levels. Though there was little mention of The Midnight Event, and we get but a glimpse of the mysterious device protagonist Jack Kryznan carries, that only adds to the allure of the story and intensifies the anticipation. A captivating dystopian tale with loads of potential, a lead character who is dynamic and appealing, and it leaves you with questions that’ll guarantee you want to pick up issue two. Expect this first issue to fly off the shelves because PARADISO is a smash hit!