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Nature's Labyrinth #1
- Writer:
- Zac Thompson
- Artist:
- Bayleigh Underwood
- Letterer:
- Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist:
- Filya Bratukhin
- Publisher:
- Mad Cave Studios
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-11-02
- Colorist:
- Warnia Sahadewa
Mad Cave Studios has launched a brand-new six-issue miniseries that throws the reader onto an island with a ragtag cast of characters. Nature's Labyrinth #1 -- by writer Zac Thompson, artist Bayleigh Underwood, colorist Warnia Sahadewa, and letterer Rus Wooton -- aims to take a recognizable trope of the battle royale and add its own spin to it. However, it may take a few issues to truly get going.
Nature's Labyrinth #1 introduces a group of criminals who are whisked away to a mysterious island to compete in "Nature's Labyrinth," a depraved game. The winner will earn their freedom and a substantial cash prize, but to win, these hardened criminals need to learn to play by the rules. In the end, they have a choice: to work together in an effort to get out of this death maze and split the prize or to risk everything and go at it alone.
As far as first issues go, Thompson doesn't break too many rules or stray from the expected. Instead, the writer establishes the ground rules for this game while introducing the characters and shining a light on Jane and Nasir. As exposition-heavy as this first issue is, Thompson does a great job setting the stage for the competition. With the rules out of the way and the issue ending on a curious cliffhanger, there's potential for the narrative to break the mold of the "there can only be one" trope in future issues.
Nature's Labyrinth #1 introduces high stakes in a potentially deadly landscape, but the art manages to keep things fun. Underwood's art is playful and cartoonish with an anime aesthetic. The artist conveys the emotional expressions of the characters perfectly to help the audience empathize with each character. Much like anime, the illustrations are easy on the eye and visually appealing, as minimalism trumps intricate designs every time. Underwood uses isolated panels featuring a singular character with sparse backgrounds to ensure that each scene is easy to read.
Sahadewa's coloring technique complements Underwood's artwork with a natural synergy. Both the artist and colorist appear to be on the same wavelength as their work amplifies the book's tone and what they intend to express on the pages. Wooton's lettering is understated here, but that's because the issue is setting up for further stories. Nonetheless, it remains clear and effective, ensuring the reader keeps track of the sounds and dialogue on the page.
It's tough to formulate an opinion on Mad Cave Studios' Nature's Labyrinth #1 in isolation. As a first issue, it introduces its concept in a simple manner while laying the groundwork for what's to come. The current signs indicate this to be one of those books where the story captures the imagination as a collected graphic novel rather than in single issues.