Firebreather Holmgang #1 - A Review

Firebreather Holmgang is Image Comics' flagstaff monster tween, and now he has his own series. But Firebreather Holmgang is not a book for little kids; it is akin to DeGrassi Jr. High or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is why I enjoyed the first issue. That and the art.

This is the first and only issue of Firebreather Holmgang I've ever read, so it may not be typical of the series, but I really enjoyed it. The dialogue flowed smoothly and the story unfolded without too much narration cluttering the art. The story and concept are weak, but don't let that scare you away; Firebreather Holmgang is a gripping read that will inspire nostalgia in those my age. Readers relate to Holmgang, despite the ridiculousness of the situations, which are usually related to his appearance.

See, Firebreather Holmgang is the half-demon son of a dragon and a human mother who is going to public highschool for the first time. He experiences the typical teenage problems but due to his insecurity over his appearance, what should be normal growing experiences become overwrought and often explosive. It's an obvious metaphor of any average, American teenager, but that's exactly what makes it work. Teens and adults can relate to Holmgang because we've all experienced his travails, and the explosiveness of his character ensures us a fight scene or two per issue.

Mind you, the writing is not at all bad -- it's quite good, in fact -- it's just aimed at a younger audience. That age group should love it, but adults have already read this story. The concept is a very commercial one, and the art and writing styles are very aware of this. I would certainly watch a Firebreather cartoon, movie or TV show, but I would have a good idea as to where the story was going pretty early-on.

The art itself is what makes Firebreather Holmgang stand out. True to its name, Image has an eye for drawing talent and they've hit the jackpot with Andy Kuhn. His deceptively simplistic style belies his abilities. I was especially taken with his knowledge of anatomy and how people (and half-people) move. But, best of all, Kuhn makes the action in his panels dynamic! A slight change in angle can provide all the drama an otherwise boring situation lacks, and Kuhn shows this. His art kept my eyes moving from one panel to the next even when I knew what was coming.

Firebreather Holmgang #1 is a great book, appropriate for kids 14+. Recommended.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011