Meet Tess Halliday, a broke single mom desperate to protect her kids from vicious criminals trying to collect on her ex-husband’s debts. Following a mysterious message, Tess flees to the mysterious island of Demonde—a place of demons, legendary creatures, and a family secret that just might cost Tess her life. Archaic #1 is a bit of a rough start to a series but shows off potential of where it might go.

Written by Melissa F. Olson, Archaic #1 is an interesting series. Tess is a woman down on her luck whose ex-husband has bolted and left her with the kids, including a step-son. There’s people out to collect on his debts and not even Tess knows where he is. Olson paints Tess as down on her luck and her desperation comes through. It’s small details though that are overall odd choices and distractions from what otherwise would be a smoother story.

There’s comments about Tess “used to be” the Governor’s wife. It’s clunky writing as that would indicate her ex-husband is still the Governor (assuming of the state) and suddenly he’s missing later? Then there’s a thing with Tess’ name which catches others by surprise and another person falling off a boat that too just weirdly happens. It’s small choices like these that add up for a bump first issue.

The art by Sally Catirino adds to it as it’s the art that depicts the person falling off the boat and it’s not clear as to what’s happening. I had to go back and re-read the page to catch that detail and there’s other moments like a fight in an alley where things just kind of happen and never really explained. The end of the issue is a perfect example of odd choices. There’s a reveal that should hit better and be clear it’s the end of this issue but instead it’s relegated to a small panel diminished the surprise and prepping the reader for a page that doesn’t exist. Catirino is joined by Gab Contreras on color and Rob Steen on lettering.

As this is an Ahoy comic, there’s two prose extras, each with some nice art. The first is written by Chris Sumberg with art by Ameilee Sullivan and second is by Kirk Vanderbeek with art by Carol Lay. Both are pretty entertaining and these extras feel like a bonus addition to the main comic.

Archaic #1 isn’t a bad start, but it overall feels a little rough. There’s small changes that’d make the comic a far better debut. A nip here and a tuck here and it’d make a world of difference. Still, there’s some magical potential by the end, so this is one to keep an eye on and see where it goes.

Story: Melissa F. Olson, Chris Sumberg, Kirk Vanderbeek Art: Sally Catirino, Ameilee Sullivan, Carol Lay
Color: Gab Contreras Letterer: Rob Steen
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Ahoy Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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