From Image Comics, Kurtis Wiebe, Tyler Jenkins.

The mystery of Peter Panzerfaust is how much is magic and how much is real.  While many of his actions look like things that a healthy person could accomplish, they are still impressive.  Then there are lines like this:  “in Peter’s company time worked different somehow”.

There is no confusion for this comic book though.  It is magic.  I’m transported through all of the geeky things I have loved throughout my life.  Whether I’m impressing memories onto this book or maybe its Kurtis and Tyler reaching into my memories and pulling out the juiciest chunks, I do not know.  But every page put a smile on my face.  The legendary GI Joe silent issue, Doctor Who, obviously Peter Pan.  There is so much joy and excitement and adventure in every single panel of the comic.

Its a comic to reread multiple times.  The first is for the excitement.  To discover what is new.  The second is to see all of the little touches.  Lines like “away we go” while they “fly” through an elevator shaft are missed the first time around, and then become beloved upon further reading.  I’m already on my third time through, just to pour over every bit of craftsmanship that went into the comic.

Best of all, we have a big bad guy to now act as foil to the maybe magical Peter.  Now that we have seen Peter and his company defeat lesser soldiers, this villain lands in the comic with the force of reality.  Play time is over boys, danger is now here and it is about to put an end to your journey.

The best part though, the best part of this series so far is how it references itself with the debut of Captain Haken.  He poses just like Peter did in his debut but… different.  As I said in my review of the second issue, it is amazing how with one line Tyler can convey so much and he does it again with this debut.  This isn’t a man who is carefree or fun like Peter.  This is the man who will be danger and death to all we already hold dear.

Kurtis Wiebe said earlier today that Peter Panzerfaust will be about 30 issues.  That means we are 1/10th done and I am 100% excited for everything that comes next.