Henry Henry is a brash literary thief. He steals his mentor’s manuscript. The Muse mistakes Henry as the actual author and taps him to be the generational storyteller to save all mankind.

Which is funny because Henry seems to think little of humanity, save for one piece of it … himself.

Through sharp narration from the arrogant viewpoint of Henry, though an intriguing one that turns some comics conventions on their heads, writer Ryan O’Sullivan and artist Andrea Mutti create a compelling first issue with their new title “Fearscape” by Vault Comics.

To tempt readers more than just the seemingly original set-up of the first issue, the story summary provided in press materials claims: “… this is the story of the wrong person answering the call to adventure, and the doom that followed.”

Story and art combine to make “Fearscape” a fascinating read. Well, arguably, it is fascinating from the first page which is the traditional gridded comics page but without a line of art. Just narrative heaping scorn on the traditional set-up of the comic book page. 

“Fearscape” is a first issue in an era when there are a multitude of first issues but this is one worth finding, reading, reading again, saving then eagerly awaiting the second issue.

“Fearscape” No. 1 was released this past week.