I’m not sure what it is about human beings and plots of land, but ever since our species (well, most of us, at any rate) gave up its nomadic ways, the places we’ve chosen to inhabit have become downright sacred to us. On the one hand, that can manifest itself in generally innocuous, perhaps even quaint, ways such as hometown pride. On the other, it can give rise to genuinely ugly impulses such as nationalism and a fear of the other, of those who come from somewhere else.

It remains to be seen how attachment to place will play out in the pages of Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins‘ new series Grass Kings, the first issue of which has just seen print courtesy of BOOM! Studios, but there’s no doubt that this particular patch of dirt near a lake (referred to simply as “the” lake) has been hard-fought for. Kindt and Jenkins show us snippets of its bloody history — dating back to 1200 A.D. — in a masterful bit of stage-setting before dropping us squarely into the present day, where it now serves as the home of something called “The Grass Kingdom,” a “breakaway community” of sorts that seems to answer to no greater national, state, or even local authorities and functions as a safe haven for those who choose — or perhaps are forced by circumstance — to withdraw from society at large in favor of an isolated, self-sufficient existence. I can certainly get behind that idea — like many, the political ascendancy of Donald Trump has already tempted me to head for the hills on numerous (and counting) occasions — but I’m not sure if a sprawling, junked-out trailer court is where I’d choose to go if I ever really did to decide to “get off the grid.” Still, the so-called “Grass Kingdom” is what it is, and there’s probably a pretty good reason it finds itself in the state it’s in today.

Those reasons remain to be expounded upon, of course, first issues being the “appetizers” that they are, but in truth not much more feels like it needs to be done by way of “world-building” here as this opening installment is, in effect, one massive info-dump. A decidedly clever and elegant info-dump, to be sure, but an info-dump just the same.

In fairly short order we come to learn that this ramshackle “kingdom” is overseen by three brothers, the eldest of whom, Bruce, serves as the de facto lawman (most of the “action” here revolves around his apprehension and escorting-off-the-premises of a youth from the nearby town of Cargill, who asks a lot of questions and gets most of the answers he — and we — need in order to limn the “lay of the land,” so to speak), while the youngest, Robert, has somehow risen to and/or inherited the position of leader of the community, despite the fact that he spends most of his time drinking away his considerable sorrows stemming from the tragic loss of his daughter and subsequent departure of his wife. One gets the distinct impression that the “Kingdom” functions despite Robert’s “leadership” rather than because of it, but the late-issue arrival of a mysterious stranger under even more mysterious circumstances may just prove to be the kick in the pants he needs to get him to start taking his responsibilities seriously again. And if that won’t do it, the belief on the part of Cargill’s sheriff that the “Kingdom” might be harboring a serial killer and that he needs to do something about it probably will —

There’s really a lot to like about this first chapter, I must say — from Jenkins’ gorgeously sparse and austere water-color artwork to Kindt’s equally low-key-but-effective characterization and authentic, unforced (which is saying something considering how much backstory he covers with it) dialogue, and truth be told I’m not sure how much more a person can realistically demand from an introductory salvo than what we get here. The proceedings positively drip with intrigue to the point where you’re dying to know more about the makeshift community’s past and its uncertain-to-say-the-least present, and its understated-yet-lavish visual language pulls you in and grips you tight every bit as much as its multi-faceted storyline. A strong undercurrent of tragedy seems to unite everyone who makes this place their home, and more tragedy seems to be looming on the horizon if the Cargill cops have their way. Kindt and Jenkins are both experts at their craft, and it’s a thing of quiet beauty to watch these two masters storytellers reel you in with the kind of seeming effortlessness that only comes when people are putting a hell of a lot of actual work into what they’re doing. Am I in for the duration? You’d better believe it.

Also worthy of (very) special note here is BOOM!’s superb packaging, which really gives you a lot of bang for your buck (and, incidentally, I purchased my copy of this, no digital “freebie” here). 30 pages of story and art on high-quality paper with heavy cardstock covers for $3.99? I’m not sure how they can maintain that standard — or even if they plan to — and still break even on this book, but if they can, then Marvel needs to pay some serious attention to their business model every bit as much as you, dear reader, need to pay attention to this series. Grass Kings #1 is an enchantingly bleak debut for what could very well prove to be one of the most talked-about comics of the year.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Tyler Jenkins
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

MINOR SPOILERS BELOW

“Welcome to Grass Kingdom”

One of my most anticipated series coming this year from any publisher is finally here. Grass Kings #1 tells the tale of generations of people living off the land. This idea is similar to other series that follow this theme lately, like Briggs Land. This area, called The Grass Kingdom has been taken and retaken by people for years. We start the story in a narration, showing Native Americans and one tribe taking it from another, along with the women and children. We then see the land throughout time, all the way until now. It has changed owners over the years, but as the narrator says, the ones who have paid for it with their blood, sweat, and tears aren’t about to give it up, and it has been in this family for multiple generations. This opening right here sets the tone for the series. Matt Kindt is building a slow burn of a story that I am sure will eventually explode like firecrackers on a hot Virginia day.

In the Grass Kingdom, trespassers may be shot, and outsiders snooping around aren’t welcome. The community seems to be run as a self-sufficient group not needing any outside influence or help from the government. Obviously, this is the first issue, so we know we will find out just how true all of that is soon enough. But for the time being, we are led to believe that with their own law, their own airport, food supply, and more, the Grass Kingdom is serving its citizens just fine. Even if their “King” seems like he doesn’t want to be bothered by much of anything, unless it’s a drink.

Speaking of their King, Robert, well, he’s a drunk. He sits on his porch when we do see him, which isn’t until near the end of the book, and he doesn’t look to be doing much. While this issue only teased what is on the surface of this place, there’s definitely trouble brewing, and their King doesn’t look like he’s too ready to lead. The King’s brother, Bruce, who is the law in this kingdom, seems much more organized as the story shows him apprehending Lo, an outsider who is asking too many questions and giving him a final warning. We also see different members of the community talk to Bruce, and you can see there is a trust they have in him.

The art by Tyler Jenkins is done in both pencils and watercolor, but different to the style that Matt and Sharlene Kindt do on another one of their books, Dept. H. The style gives me a very old western or Appalachian feeling, which is perfect for the story, because Grass Kings and the Grass Kingdom has a very Southern feel to it. Much like stepping into the mountains of Virginia, though the community is welcoming to its members, it may not be as welcoming to a stranger. The Southern hospitality is present in this story, but so is the distrusting and protective style of neighboring communities who don’t like each other much.

By the end of the book, we realize there is a reason the outsider from Cargill came to Grass Kingdom, he’s looking for a missing girl. We see King Robert, and then a quick chain of events that was confusing, but very intriguing that I won’t spoil. I cannot wait to read more Grass Kings. I want to see why the girl has come to the Grass Kingdom, or what brought her there. I would recommend this series to fans of Twin Peaks, Briggs Land, and any fans of stories with small towns filled with wild characters, mystery, and chaos. This story seems like it will be packed with characters that shoot first and ask questions later characters, and I will be right there grabbing each issue to read more of it.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Tyler Jenkins
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review