Trade Review #15--The Wilds

After my first Black Mask purchase, I knew I definitely wanted to go back for more. However, as I was fishing around some of my usual haunts where I've been picking up some books during the quarantine, and I stumbled on a beauty of a bundle labeled "BOC: Black Mask 1" from one of my newfound favorite retailers, and massive supporter of indie comics, The Lyonsden Comic Shop. In this box included several trades, a few singles (all of which I'll be reviewing) but what really caught my eye was the full run of the wilds, an additional signed #1 from one of my favorites Vita Ayla (they are currently in my top 5) and the full trade of The Wilds.  I'm terrified to open the singles (I have no clue why) but I tore through the trade!

The Wilds TPB (Black Mask) 
By: Vita Ayala, Emily Pearson, Marissa Louise, Stelladia, Jim Campbell, Danny Lore

There are so many great things going on in this run, but here are the quick plot points. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a growing portion of the population is being infected with some sort of bacteria which creates some sort of floral/fungal growth on the infected and it doesn't really take control of their body like a parasite, but it puts them in a zombie-esque state where they can infect the living. Therefore several clusters of the living have created compounds.  One of the essential elements of each compound, are the runners who head to former cities to scavenge supplies each compound can survive on, or trade with other compounds.  There is also a pseudo-government facility that exists to do research to find a cure, and maybe more...

While the story focuses on one runner, Daisy and her incursions within the infected world.  However, the story also focuses on the relationships Daisy has within this post-apocalyptic world.  Primarily with Heather, who we quickly discover their growing and passionate love for one another.  While a large portion of the story is driven by the apocalypse the bigger driver is what leads to the capture of Heather, and how a plan is created to bring her back.

This book just struck so many notes for me.  First, I love a good apocalyptic tale or some sort of revolutionaries fighting a government, this book nails both of those in a spectacular way.  The second is the art.  The apocalyptic hellscape is gorgeous.  The sprawling environment and the floral growth on the infected is something I've NEVER seen before (save for Poison Ivy) I even liked the joke about "needing a botanist at the end of the world." A joke like that truly highlights the need for a stellar environment and the artists delivered.

The third is the queer relationship and creators on the book.  One of the things I noted early on was my desire to find more of this literature, but not just for me.  I have several students who were excited to find I was back in comic books, especially my students across the queer identity spectrum, and they wanted to know if I ever stumbled on to anything that would make them feel as if they are represented in the medium.  The problem was, when I started reading, I flocked back to most of the superhero big box titles I was somewhat familiar with...you know the books which are overwhelmingly cis/het/white.  The bios in the back help give more suggestions of who or what to look for, and it does a great job of normalizing any sort of relationship which was excellent.

Finally, this just top to bottom an exceptional title.  This is one of the reasons I am obsessed with a lot of Vita Ayala's work.  I've read a lot of their Marvel stuff, but it makes me want to dive into other indie titles Vita has had their hands on, I also have a new slew of artists work to track too.  I'm not too late on this series as I have been with my other reviews (the TPB was released in November/December 2019) but if you are looking for something else New to You until regular distribution resumes.

You Should Seriously Buy This Book!