You can Pick Your Friends, But…

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Even with their modern and professional appeal, terms like networks, circles and followers will never match up to the value of the bond with someone you call a friend.  That’s the number that truly matters.  How many of us have them?  In Image Comics newest series The Cull from writer Kelly Thompson a group of five teenage friends set out early one morning with the supposed purpose of shooting a film.  However, one of them is depending on the rest for a whole lot more.  

The Cull #1

Image Comics

Writer: Kelly Thompson
Art and Colors: Mattia De Julis
Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

From the opening sequence of The Cull # 1, readers can begin to glean the issue’s pacing and perspective. The narrator, who we learn later is Cleo, introduces us to the story’s setting – Black Water Beach.  You are immediately drawn in courtesy of Mattia De Julis’ captivating coastal scene with several people on the beach enjoying the day.  On just this first page alone the artist gives readers so many details to take in – from the shading of the stone rocks that run along the shore to the reeds bending in the breeze so subtly. 

Actually, subtle is a perfect description for the imagery and narrative in the pages of The Cull #1.  Especially since a flip to the next page reveals the beach is full of strange creatures.  Any hope all those beachgoers got away safely dashes once you notice their shoes and sandals.  With this first issue readers can expect to find many opportunities to pick apart each scene that De Julis’ art offers.   

Picking things apart, picking up the pieces and putting things back together seems to be what The Cull is primarily about, giving this series a sort of found footage feeling.   Kelly Thompson’s story takes us back 12 hours before whatever happens to Black Water Beach.  Here is when we first encounter Cleo as she is drawing frowny faces on red signs.  Completing the last of these “markers” she places them into her backpack before putting on her hoodie.  Pausing to look into a dresser mirror, something catches her eye.  Two things stand out at this moment.  One is that Cleo’s hair is black, so who are the redheaded woman and young boy?  The other is that this is the second photograph of these two – the first is on the desk when Cleo is drawing.  

The Cull does a fabulous job of introducing us to each of the five friends – Cleo, Katie, Lux Will and Wade – in much the same manner.  There is a balance between getting only so much conversation necessary and then the series relies on things to be conveyed with contextual clues.  Like during Kaite’s conversation with her father as she gets ready to meet the rest.  Do they have a more honest father-daughter relationship, especially since everyone else sneaks out of their houses?  The reason he is even awake becomes evident when they start to discuss his sleeping arrangements.  When you notice him laying the blanket on the couch already speaks to the spousal situation with Katie’s parents. 

But Katie’s isn’t the only one whose home is in pieces.  When we first meet Lux it looks like she is merely getting ready for her closeup with Mr. Deville.  The young woman puts on a little makeup before giving a smile that would signify everything is fine.  Only later do we discover this wasn’t for the camera’s but to cover up what’s occurring at home.  

By showing us their home lives Thompson establishes a requirement for the series success.  For there to be a cull, one would expect some sort of commonality.  With a cast of characters that come from different ethnicities and even identities, the writer chooses another category.  With each coming from something of a “broken” home, The Cull indicates that whatever is taking place preys on things no one notices or appreciates.  

Which is the total opposite of what one would want in a friend.  That may be the reason Wade, Will and even Lux don’t want to be late to meet up with Cleo.  Even if there are some details she left out.  Image Comics The Cull #1 ends with Cleo looking to answer the question what are friends for.

Will they turn their back on you?  

Score: 9.0