Review:  I'm not sure how one connects a magic cowboy with waking up from a drunken stupor, but somehow this comic manages it, and rather gracefully at that.  Without revealing too much, it's probably one of the most interesting aspects of Plastic Farm from the get-go: the way in which Chester and the Kamikaze Kid are woven together without appearing as the same character.

While this is something I would almost call a purely psychological story, there's still a very strong impression that the Kamikaze Kid's story isn't just a parallel of Chester's experiences, but that it also works as a metaphor for his past in ways that aren't clear just yet.

While that aspect of Plastic Farm may not be for everyone, I definitely find it intriguing and my curiosity as to where this is going to be taken next will definitely entice me through the next issue or two simply on the strength of the opening.

There is an unrelated story at the end of this issue called "The Hope," written by Sean C. Duffey and illustrated by Jake Warrenfeltz.  It's fortunately not a huge break in tone from the Plastic Farm story proper, so it at least doesn't detract from the overall strength of the issue, but it's a little too short itself to leave a lasting impression.  There are some interesting ideas in it, but they aren't explored enough to really draw the reader in.  It wasn't clear if it was an example of a larger series or world that Duffey and Warrenfeltz are involved in the creation of, but I can only assume it would work much better as a stand-alone story rather than a complement to another.

This is a strong first showing from this series.  Maybe not a universally appealing idea, but definitely a curious narrative that should keep the right kind of reader engaged.

Overall: 4 stars.

Alex Haas