REVIEW: 'Edenfrost' #1 by Amit Tishler and Bruno Frenda

 

EDENFROST #1

Writer: Amit Tishler

Artist: Bruno Frenda

Letterer: Taylor Esposito

Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

Release Date: November 22, 2023

Cover Price: $4.99

After losing their parents in a pogrom, teenage siblings Alex and Yuli use the mystical power of a Golem to survive the chaos of the Russian Civil War. In a harrowing journey through war-torn Ukraine, the duo will face the harsh reality of warfare, ethnic bias, and national pride as they fight for their own place in the world.

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

'Edenfrost' #1 by Amit Tishler and Bruno Frenda is an exciting debut about a brother and sister on the run from Russian forces in this historical fantasy drama that mixes the horrors of war, bigotry, mythology, and world history in a potent and intriguing adventure. 

Forced to leave their town in the midst of an attack, Alex and Yuli run into the snowy woods to evade Russian soldiers sent by Colonel Krasnov. Were it not for the appearance of the fabled Golem, the brother and sister would have been captured or worse. Tishler puts the reader right in the middle of the action from page one and slowly unfolds the story through Yuli's perspective providing all the necessary details. However, plenty of questions remain unanswered, which draws the reader in further and will have them back for more. It's a mysterious tension-filled, chase from beginning to end. 

It won't be lost on anyone the timeliness of the story because it takes place during the Russian Civil War when Russia marched through Ukraine, Jews were persecuted, and the leads are Jewish. The use of Jewish mythology adds a supernatural element that cuts through the obvious tragic real-life history. It's a fine balance between history and fantasy told through these characters. 

Frenda is so good. From composition to color, Frenda's design choices and emotive skills bring the story to life. The clean lines and framing of a scene for maximum effect make this not only great to read but also great to view. There isn't a bad panel in the entire issue. 

'Edenfrost' is an irresistible and compelling adventure with some timely undertones. This alt-history story combines geopolitical turmoil with mythic monsters but the heart of it is the charismatic siblings at its center.