S.I.R. #1 Review

 

Writer & Artist: Fell Hound

Colorists: Eleonora Bruni & Freddie Tanto

Letterer: Becca Carey

Cover Artists: Fell Hound, Bengal, Alessio Zonno & Paulina Ganucheau

Designer: Grace Park

Editors: Elizabeth Brei, Bryce Carlson & Matt Gagnon

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Price: $4.99

Release Date: August 14, 2024

 

After her parents’ death, her entrance essay won Avery Sakai a place at Bridleham Academy. But Avery ventures into the hallowed halls of the prestigious institution for another reason than to learn. Her friend Nico has stopped communicating with her. For over a year, Nico has not responded to Avery's texts. Can Avery find Nico and reconnect with her? What reason might Nico have for keeping mum? Let's grab our textbooks, leap into S.I.R. #1, and see!

 

Story

Losing her parents left a mark on Avery. They worked hard at their motorsports business and sacrificed so Avery could succeed. Losing them leaves Avery weighed down by guilt. They gave so much to her. Now, she'll never be able to repay their sacrifice.

 

Yet Nico's absence hurts more. Avery was proud that her friend won full tuition at Bridleham. Then Nico went silent. For over a year, Avery watched her phone for calls, photos, or texts from Nico but received nothing.

 

Amelia Ray, the president of student affairs, welcomes Avery to Rembrandt Hall. She's also a business major. Amelia expects they'll get to know each other well. But after Avery settles in, she goes hunting for Nico. Unlike everyone else, Leon admits to knowing Nico. But he wonders why she wants to meet The Devil.

 

Like Joan Jett, Nico has a bad reputation. Avery’s arrival unsettles her. Nico is amazed that Avery could afford the $40,000 annual tuition. She is disappointed that Avery sold her parents’ motorbike shop. She insists that her feelings for Avery remain unchanged. Yet Nico begs Avery not to seek her out again or tell the faculty and students that she is her friend.

 

Despite Nico’s promise to explain everything at the end of the school year, Avery isn’t content to wait. When Avery spots Nico walking across campus at night, she follows her friend. What she discovers explains Nico’s desire to remain apart from Avery. But her discovery comes at a terrible cost.

 

Final Thoughts

As Avery seeks to reconnect with her friend, S.I.R. #1 explores the competitive nature of elite educational institutions while updating the medieval custom of seeking honor through gladiatorial combat for the modern, high-octane age.

 

P.S. Apologies for never completing this review, but I bit off more than I could chew the week S.I.R. #1 appeared in stores. When I noticed someone else had posted a review for the debut issue on Comic Book Dispatch, I went on to other reviews. I might have finished it had I received a review copy of S.I.R. #2. But as I didn't, I thought I would share what I completed and let you know I felt the series was worth checking out.

 

For another reviewer's thoughts on S.I.R. #2, see their review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

Preview interior art at the Boom! Studios website.