The legend of the Baba Yaga, known in the John Wick universe, precedes him. A figure of fear and unmatched skill, John Wick was not always the boogeyman of the criminal underworld. The John Wick comic book series aimed to delve into this uncharted territory, exploring the formative years before the events that set him on his path of vengeance in the movies. However, the initial issue, John Wick #1, stumbles in its execution, leaving readers questioning if it truly understands the essence of Wick’s allure.
Typically, a review would dissect the narrative before delving into critiques. However, with John Wick #1, an immediate observation is warranted: absent the official plot synopsis, the comic’s narrative direction feels ambiguous and surprisingly generic.
The story opens with John Wick, visually reminiscent of his Chapter 2 persona albeit in less formal attire, entering a diner in El Paso, Texas. While enjoying pie, he overhears a conversation between unsavory characters. Leveraging this eavesdropped information, Wick strategically rents a room adjacent to their target location. A flashback sequence then attempts to provide context, transporting us twelve years prior to the present narrative. Here, a younger John Wick steals a small sum – “a couple of grand” – from a group known as “The Three Bills.” In a disproportionate act of retaliation during Wick’s escape, The Three Bills launch an RPG at a building, resulting in mass casualties. This traumatic memory surfaces in John’s present consciousness as he witnesses another armed robbery unfolding.
The core issue lies in the narrative’s vagueness. While the glimpse into John’s past is a welcome attempt at backstory, the depicted events feel disjointed and somewhat illogical. The over-the-top reaction of The Three Bills – resorting to a rocket launcher over a petty theft they seemingly dismiss later – strains credibility. Where did they even acquire such weaponry, and why employ such extreme force against a minor offense and potentially a child? This chaotic episode feels contrived, serving primarily to establish the villainy of The Three Bills and ignite a sense of vendetta, but lacks narrative finesse.
One commendable aspect is the portrayal of a less lethal John Wick. Unlike his film counterpart, comic John refrains from outright killing every adversary, sparing all but one, Pecos. This suggests a period where Wick, while still formidable, hadn’t yet fully embraced his lethal persona. However, until John encounters a younger Charon – already depicted as possessing formidable skills – there are scant clues within this inaugural issue to firmly anchor the timeline of these events within the broader John Wick saga.
Adding to the confusion, the comic’s conclusion awkwardly positions John as being “introduced to the business,” a premise that clashes with the established lore of his pre-existing knowledge and involvement in the underworld.
Visually, the cover art is misleading. While John Wick’s depiction and the likeness to Keanu Reeves are commendable, the artistic merit largely ends there. The interior artwork is plagued by a muddy and visually cluttered style. A significant drawback is the frequent absence of backgrounds in panels. While minimalism can effectively focus attention on characters, John Wick #1 often omits backgrounds entirely, creating a sense of visual emptiness and detracting from the overall reading experience.
The most significant misstep is the failure to convincingly depict the “rise of the Baba Yaga.” Instead, the comic portrays a John Wick who already seems to operate at a near-peak level of competence. Apart from his restraint in lethal force, there’s little to differentiate this comic book iteration from his cinematic counterpart. He’s already versed in the criminal underworld, capable of dispatching numerous foes, and attracting the attention of assassins. John Wick #1 unfortunately treads familiar ground rather than illuminating the formative stages of his legendary status. While the anticipation for more Wick-style action before Chapter 3 (now Chapter 4, and beyond) remains, the John Wick comic series has unfortunately launched on shaky foundations.
