Behold, The Pedestrian! A strange visitor speedwalks into Summer City and silently changes the lives of its residents. But not all is quiet in this sleepy, small town—an ancient conflict linked to the secret history of street signs is brewing! DON’T WALK… RUN! In The Pedestrian, justice always has the right of way! The Pedestrian #1 is one of the quirkiest comic debuts of the year.

I’m seriously not sure what to say about The Pedestrian #1. It’s one of the oddest comics I’ve read in a while… and that’s not a bad thing. Written by Joey Esposito, the story takes place in a small town and is broken up into a series of shorts, each connected to each other in some way.

At the center of it all is The Pedestrian, a mysterious character who speed walks in to save the day or deliver some sort of justice. Nothing is said, and little sound is made by the character other than a “fwoosh” as he speed walks away. The concept, and execution, feels like something you’d have seen on MTV’s Liquid Television or maybe as a short on Adult Swim or SNL. It’s weird. It’s odd. It’s… really charming.

Esposito delivers few hints about the character other than he lives in an apartment and he seems to follow all the rules, as if he’s programmed in a way. It’s a mystery that leaves you wanting to find out more.

The art by Sean Von Gorman is solid. With color by Josh Jensen and lettering by Shawn Lee, the art is dark but also not. Like the main character of the Pedestrian, there’s an unease about the visuals. I can’t quite put my finger on what that is though. The comic isn’t dark or brooding in anyway, it almost has an innocence much like it’s hero. The art is a great match for its quirky concept, almost like entering a town that seems benign but also has something underneath. You don’t know what that is, but know it’s there.

The Pedestrian #1 is strange but a strange that has me wanting to come back to find out more. It also features a hero who feels like he’s exactly that and nothing more. A blank slate running on rules to do good and not deviate. It’s a weirdly positive experience that sucks you in.

Story: Joey Esposito Art: Sean Von Gorman
Color: Josh Jensen Letterer: Shawn Lee
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Magma Comix provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics