Alterna Comics have recently begun printing their comics on newsprint paper, which means they’ve been able to price those comics between $1 and $1.50 per issue. It’s a movement that I am entirely on board with and have been buying  everything that the publisher has been releasing on newsprint – which you’re probably aware of if you follow me on Twitter (shameless plug: @karcossa) over the last few months – so obviously I grabbed Scrimshaw #1 when it came out, even though there was probably a review copy hidden somewhere in my inbox.

Confession time: Once I had finished Scrimshaw #1 I literally couldn’t remember anything about it. Although how much that has to do with the comic verses the circumstances I read it under (it was 1 am and I’d been awake since 5 am) is was unclear to me, so I read it again the next day and enjoyed it a lot more the second time through.

Scrimshaw #1 opens a tale that has so many elements that so many people should enjoy; in a post apocalyptic setting there’s a samurai (a blond haired European one) who may or may not be some kind of pirate… yeah, it’s crazy, but the comic stays on just the right side of crazy to make it worth reading – but be aware you will probably need to read it a couple of times (or really pay attention the first time). The story has promise, although it feels a little familiar if you’ve read or watched a lot of post-apocalyptic stories.

Unfortunately the art doesn’t translate as well to the newsprint paper as some of the other comics Alterna has put out, as the colours are just a touch muddled. It’s not enough to hamper your enjoyment of the comic, and it is still fairly easy to  read.

Honestly, this wasn’t my favourite of Alterna’s newsprint comics. It was good, and I did quite enjoy it, but it didn’t grab me the same way as other comics in the newsprint line – though that should be taken more as a compliment to the overall quality of the newsprint product than a knock on this issue. At the end of the day, this is a solid buy for $1.50, and one that I highly recommend you checking out for at least an issue or two.

Story: Eric Borden Artist: Dave Mims Letterer: Spike O’Laochdha
Story: 7.75 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy