REVIEW: 'Long Cold Winter' #1 by Francesca Perillo, Stefano Cardoselli, and Lorenzo Scaramella

 

LONG COLD WINTER #1

Writer: Francesca Perillo

Artist: Stefano Cardoselli, Lorenzo Scaramella

Letters: Buddy Beaudoin

Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

Release Date: December 4, 2024

Cover Price: $4.99

In the not-too-distant future, the air on Earth has become unbreathable. However, a multinational company called Air Co. has constructed generators that provide oxygen for those who can afford it. Peace Dog, a desperate ex-soldier, who has been willing to do anything to obtain breathable air is haunted by his past and hunted by bounty hunters, though, he may have found a way out of his current predicament by helping a mysterious robot child escape the dangerous and congested city. But, someone from his past has no intention of letting him leave...alive.

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

"Long Cold Winter" is set in a dystopian future where the very air you breathe is a commodity, and survival comes at a steep price. In this world, you literally have to pay for the privilege of fresh air. Peace Dog, a hardened former soldier, lives in a city teeming with violence and corruption, and all he wants is to be left in peace.

When "The Kid," a robot child, offers him an opportunity to leave the stress of the city and the bounty hunters behind, he weighs the risks but it could change everything. The Kid needs an escort through dangerous, desolate lands to reach a rumored safe haven, and Peace Dog, one of the toughest and most feared men around, is the perfect choice. Unfortunately, Peace Dog’s reputation comes with its own set of problems, including a long list of enemies eager to see him dead.

The journey ahead promises not just danger, but a reckoning that will force Peace Dog to confront his past — and perhaps, find something worth fighting for.

Francesca Perillo sets the stage for an adventure that promises to be both captivating and mysterious.  While we’re given little information about The Kid, his background and ultimate motivations remain shrouded in mystery, adding an intriguing layer of suspense. Peace Dog's own background is also mysterious but it's clear there is a history of war and violence. 

The world-building in this issue is exceptional. The buildings are both crude and abstract, and the characters reflect the same raw, diverse energy. There is a simplicity to the story but it still leaves plenty of room for future exploration, offering just enough to tantalize readers and spark their curiosity.

Stefano Cardoselli’s artwork is truly unique. His abstract style injects an unsettling sense of an off-kilter world, creating the impression that the city looms over the characters, judging them as they make their way in it. It's a stylized vision that works perfectly in a dystopian setting. Lorenzo Scaramella's colors are bright and visually striking, offering a contrast to the dystopian setting. This playful use of color cleverly heightens the tension, as the reader becomes wary of the dangers lurking beneath these seemingly innocuous, brightly colored elements.

'Long Cold Winter' has a unique aesthetic that's irresistible and has a certain charm despite the inherent danger around every corner. The story is anchored by just the two protagonists and smartly written by Perillo. It's enough to keep readers glued in an otherwise familiar plot. Along with Cardoselli's stunning visuals, 'Long Cold Winter' seems poised to be one hell of a ride.