Something Epic #1
- Writer:
- Szymon Kudranski
- Artist:
- Szymon Kudranski
- Letterer:
- DC Hopkins
- Cover Artist:
- Szymon Kudranski
- Publisher:
- Image Comics
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-05-10
- Colorist:
- Szymon Kudranski
Comic books don't always have to be about superheroes, monsters, or crime. Artist Szymon Kudrański is pushing the boundaries of the medium by utilizing it to explore humanity's relationship with imagination and its power to transform the world. Released by Image Comics, Something Epic #1 is written, drawn, and colored by Kudrański, with lettering provided by DC Hopkins.
The story is told through the eyes of teenager Danny Dillon. His mother works hard to support the two of them, so she isn't around much. As a result, Danny spends a lot of time by himself; however, he prefers it this way as he loses himself in fantastical worlds with an array of different characters. This isn't simply daydreaming, though, as Danny literally lives between two worlds. He sees what others don't. At the same time, this makes it tough for him to relate to others, since no one believes his experiences.
It's clear Kudrański is mixing fact and fiction with the story of Danny, as it's a concept many creatives can relate to. This issue is all about the power of imagination and how so many people lose it as they grow up, when it should be cherished as one of life's greatest gifts. Kudrański delves into the science and theory behind imagination, while emphasizing how it has the ability to bring joy to those who embrace it.
At the same time, there's a sadness to Something Epic #1. It demonstrates how a life of creativity can also be one of solitude, as these individuals struggle to relate to the harshness and expectation of the supposed real world. As demonstrated through Danny, it's melancholic in a way as their happiest times are when they are alone, but they feel frustrated to not be able to share this with others.
Kudrański doesn't deliver a typical comic book. He blends prose and sequential art to create a highly imaginative book that focuses predominately on storytelling and not the conventions of the medium. Every inch of the page is wonderfully drawn as the artist refuses to conform to any type of stylistic expectation and goes in whichever direction he's compelled to. There are sprawling double-page spreads of characters designed in different art styles, then there will suddenly be a dramatic shift to claustrophobic close-up panels of Danny that zero in on emotion.
What's abundantly clear from the art of Something Epic #1 is the imaginative sections are where freedom reigns, while the "real" world comes across as sullen and more constrained. This is reflected in Kudrański's colors, too, as Danny's imagination features vibrant and striking colors, whereas his normal life is composed of dull tones and a distinct lack of energy. Hopkins does a lot of heavy lifting, as the letterer compiles the large chunks of prose and also needs to shift to different lettering styles along with the art.
Something Epic #1 isn't just Danny's story. It's a metaphor for the importance of keeping imagination alive and defying the self-imposed expectations of society's perception of reality. Reading between the lines, it's a comic book that holds one of the most important and powerful messages that everyone should take note of and carry within them for life.