Dryad, Vol. 1

Rat Queens series writer Wiebe and debuting artist Barcelo mash up high fantasy and cyberpunk in a series that’s flashy but lacking substance. For 13 years, after fleeing the neon-drenched city of Silver Bay following a mysterious falling-out with their employers in the powerful Muse guild, Morgan and Yale Glass have raised their twins, Griffon and Rana, in a remote woodland village with no knowledge of the outside world. That changes when soldiers storm the Glass family’s home and drag them back to Silver Bay for one last job. The premise cribs from Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga series, but the scripting is pure Wiebe, for better or worse: his dramatic turns and worldbuilding are doused in quips, snark, and crude sophomoric humor (the opening page prominently features a diaper brimming with feces). More problematic are plot inconsistencies, such as shifting rules of magic. Barcelo’s pencils add plenty of frenetic energy to the proceedings—somewhat making up for his often-wonky anatomy—and colorist Meg Casey in particular (one of several who worked on this volume) vividly realizes Yale’s mysticism and a dreamy virtual reality prison. But even a double cliffhanger can’t quite distract from the unevenness plaguing this project. It’s just not fresh enough to stand out in a crowded field. (Jan.)