Written by: Tom Waltz
Art by: Casey Maloney
Publisher: IDW
The first issue of The Last Fall features a somewhat trite story, but is still able to create a stable foundation for future issues.
The story follows Sergeant Marcus Fall, a man with nothing left to lose. The issue’s start is bland and predictable, but the power struggle slowly gives way to some religious ideology. The concept of fighting for religious reasons is common in today’s world, and it was definitely interesting to see Tom Waltz’s take on it.
Casey Maloney’s art is varying. His ability to capture the alien environment is commendable, but his art looks cartoony at times. One significant example is Hall’s eyes, which look extremely out of place in relation to the other art in this issue.
The tragic back-story of Sergeant Hall is again powerful, but repetitive. Tom Waltz’s challenge is to sway readers by captivating them. At this point, the issue seems on the wall, and the next issue will probably do this. As it is, the story seems like it needs some heavy lifting, although character motivations and interactions seem to have been clearly narrated. The tone of the story is also enjoyable, and the issue has a certain superhero vibe to it, even though the premise doesn’t involve superheroes.
The problem with The Last Fall is that the reader isn’t as invested in the protagonist as he/she should be. The story needs a major event to bring about this change, as The Last Fall shows a lot of potential to be a good series.
First issues are usually the one that receives the harshest verdict, and so it is in this case. However, the issue does have its moments and has set the stage for something big. The characters are interconnected, and I hope that The Last Fall doesn’t try to duplicate other stories, and finds its own voice.
