As snowstorm Jonas hit the East Coast of the United States this past January, dropping over 30 inches of snow in some areas, the theory of “last snow ever” does not sound so bad. (Especially for those of us who lost three days t that record-breaking storm.) But in the world of Joe Harris and Martin Morazzo’s Snowfall #1 it may be exactly that.
It is the year 2045. The last snow fall was nearly 10 years ago. Weather is limited, monitored and controlled. It is no mystery we have been destroying the planet, but it is now up to us to correct our mistakes. The private sector and the government have come together to work on the growing and continuing climate issue: To bring back the snow. But, to many, they are moving too slow. And these frustrations may be leading some to take the weather into their own hands.
Joe Harris (X-Files: Season 11) plays on our basic fears with this politically directed statement towards the environment. Harris uses a mix of fact and hypothetical’s to build a future that may very well be Earth’s next step. With the technical language, you cannot help but read further into why Snowfall’s world has so drastically changed. Though the likelihood of such an event, including enhanced human-cybernetics, in our reality is unrealistically immediate, the possibility of the eventualities is humbling.
Only tip to the read: Stay focused! Snow Fall is by no means difficult to comprehend. But the back and forth of the book can turn you around if not properly paying attention. The concept of the weather-worn planet is indeed deep and easily recognizable. Yet, if straying too far off into personal quandary or flipping a few pages backwards or forwards to make sure you read something accurately, you may lose your place. Take your time and read this book. Enjoy it!
Martin Morazzo’s (Great Pacific) grizzled art is a mix between Frank Quitely’s (We3) crease and muscular line-work and Jason Howard’s (Trees) circular definition. With the playful colors of Kelly Fitzpatrick (Bitch Planet), the story reads like a politically yet emotionally driven play. It is mesmerizing. There are even a few times when the art over-powers the storytelling. With the attention demanding language, the art can distract from the momentum.
There is a beautiful yet telling tale behind Image Comic’s Snowfall #1. It may sometimes be difficult to stay directly focused on the story due to the deep context and drifting storyline, but it is a fascinating topic and a realistic possibility. It can be politically directed but is an immersive story with wonderful art. Definitely is worth the pick-up.
Make sure to stop by your local comics retailer and pick up Snowfall #1.
