In the darkest days of the Great Depression, death stalks the Dust Bowl. As towering dust storms blast the parched Oklahoma panhandle, farmers try to flee the failing town of New Hope, but no one gets far. Battling his own demons, Sheriff Meadows teams up with Sarah, a traveling photojournalist, in a desperate fight to stop a serial killer on the loose—the Death that rides the Dusters. Dust to Dust #1 teases its murder mystery with a backdrop full of American history.

I love stories set in real history. The Dust Bowl is a fascinating one as not only was an ecological disaster but was an interesting point in history where forces of the past were faced with modernity and the individuals living in it were faced with the fierce reality of mother nature.

Dust to Dust #1 is an interesting debut in it teases its main story while focusing on its characters and the reality of the time. Taking place in Oklahoma in 1935, the town is facing a drought that threatens everyone’s way of life. Written by JG Jones and Phil Bram, the first issue delivers a solid dose of history and attitudes of the time while all of it is serving as the backdrop for something else. What that is, we’re not totally sure as the main story is only teased. It’s the first issue’s focus on the details that really hooks the reader along with Jones’ art.

Jones’ art stands out with a beautiful brutality about it all. The colors are shades of brown and the comic is both clean and dirty in a way. You can feel the dust and dirt all over but it’s the character’s reactions that really are the highlight. The characters feel worn down and with a slight anger and sadness about their reality. The art really nails the desperation of it all and you could have a wordless comic and still fully understand what is going on.

Dust to Dust #1 is a hell of a debut and a prime example of why I wait until all of the comics are released in the year to decide what stands out. It’s a fantastic start and one of the best debuts of the year delivering a start that’s hauntingly sad and beautiful.

Story: JG Jones, Phil Bram Art: JG Jones Letterer: Jackie Marzan
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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