The Family Trade #1

Written by: Justin Jordan & Nikki Ryan

Art by: Morgan Beem

Published by: Image Comics

The first issue of The Family Trade quickly introduces us to our heroine, Jessa Wynn, as she has just climbed atop one of the highest points the Float - an island nation that was created independently from the entire world in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. We learn from Jenna’s inner monologue that she is there to exact some kind of retribution to a man to keep the “balance” on the Float.

We also learn that she is but one of many who do so. This group, they call themselves the Family and have designated themselves as the protectors and maintainers of the peace of the Float. Halfway through the issue we get a nice history lesson of how the Float came to be, as Jenna tells it: many generations ago, an armada was sailing the seas bent on conquest and at their head was a king. One time, the king ordered the armada to sneak attack their enemies (the king was not of sound mind) and the generals decided they could refuse. After this refusal, they brought the armada together and built this independent nation.

However, Jessa’s ancestors knew that power could corrupt absolutely, so they took it upon themselves to start “managing” these officers in any way they could. And that leads us to Jessa, who on the first mission we get to witness fails spectacularly.

As far as a premise for a new comic series goes, The Family Trade is a pretty fun concept. Jordan and Ryan sprinkle just enough intrigue in the first issue to gather up interest to see what is going to come next. As is shown, Jessa is not an all-powerful character that always succeeds which is nice respite to the legion of “can do no wrong” characters found in comics.

The art is also a pretty big attraction to this series. Beem is another in a series of artists that paint everything which adds enough uniqueness to the comic that you don’t always see on the shelves. Hopefully Beem will be given enough time between issues to complete them since their style is not always great for a monthly schedule. Time will tell.