Lost Fantasy #1 Review
Detective Hunter
Shared with a magic world parallel to Earth, a grisly murder transpires somewhere in the woods of Montana. A young girl with blood on her face is on the run but ends up in a hospital bed after an unsuspected car accident. Tasked with solving the incident, the adopted son of a Great Hunter named Henry Blackheart is on the case by his superiors. Visiting the young girl who is in a coma was step one. Not wanting to bother much of the small town he must investigate, he’s forced to work with the local police department to gain access to the crime scene. What he finds after leads to more questions, but not enough answers. Creatures attempt to ambush Henry, but something is wrong with their demeanors. They do not seem like themselves and put Henry in attack mode. What follows next comes at a surprising turn of events that leaves everything in limbo in Lost Fantasy #1.
Written by Curt Pires (Olympia, Galactic), Lost Fantasy #1 starts with an interesting take on an alternate timeline where magic creatures descend on humanity during Theodore Roosevelt’s time. Although there seem to be Hunters already in existence, the comic book does well in explaining how the present came to be. The backstory helps add value to the overall story to help readers understand this more as they read further. The introduction to Henry, the main protagonist, contributes more mystery as to what he is capable of, since he could have been born with old, powerful magic. Much of that has remained to be seen, but it’s only the first issue, and there is much more to talk about in this comic book. Henry, as a character, appears to be a drawn-back individual who doesn’t like to waste time and is very good at his job. Tied in with the pacing, the comic book has a good sense of flow that allows a reader to process what’s happening in the story. It’s not too rushed, as it feels just right.
Comparably, Luca Casalanguida’s (The Displaced, James Bond) artwork for Lost Fantasy #1 was excellent. Luca’s work, specifically on castles within the comic book, is very cool. The amount of time it must have taken Luca to focus on those details cannot go unnoticed. Linework was solid, and there were no inconsistencies that were off-putting while reading through the comic book. The panels aren’t highly detailed, but for the style purposes of the comic book, it works well with the story. Luca’s panels in the comic book are unique while simultaneously drawing inspiration from another creator in the industry.
In terms of visual enhancement, Mark Dale (Turok: Dinosaur Hunter) contributes very well to providing the comic book with coloring work. Noticeably, Dale doesn’t add too many bright colors as it would be an unnecessary distraction while reading. The atmosphere of the comic book is created by the color palette of the book, which captures its intended storytelling purpose.
The lettering work by Micah Myers (The Dragonfly, Grimm Fairy Tales) is strategically placed in the comic book perfectly, not to take away from the overall experience of the story. Sound effects are used to amplify the intimacy from the book to the reader. Myers does his best to let the comic book flow naturally as it is intended.
Furthermore, the cover art to Lost Fantasy #1 resembles a fantasy game. Fernando Rosales (Briar) cover design captures the essence of the name of the comic book.
Final Thoughts?
Overall, Lost Fanatsy #1 is a good comic book to read if you’re looking for something different to read than the highly anticipated titles out today. The comic book manages to not only keep a reader interested, but it also has some key elements surrounding a mystery that doesn’t get solved the first time around. It leaves a curiosity at the end of its pages, along with how Henry Blackheart plays a part in this. Be sure to pick this comic book up for personal interest from your local comic book store or where comics are sold online.
Comic Details
Writer: Curt Pires
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Colorist: Mark Dale
Letterer: Micah Myers
Cover Artist: Fernando Rosales
Publisher: Image Comics
Date of Release: April 30th, 2025
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
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