The Pedestrian #1: Walk and Roll
Creative Team
writers: JOEY ESPOSITO
artist: SEAN VON GORMON
colorist: JOSH JENSEN
letterer: SHAWN LEE
publisher: MAGMA COMIX
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
The Pedestrian #1 debuts one of the strangest characters to hit comic book stands for a read that is equally funny as it is bizarre—but totally worth picking up.
Set in the fictional Summer City, residents of the town have begun to experience the heroics of a silent guardian who power walks to those who need his help. While this may sound gimmicky, the creative team does an excellent job with making this more than a one-note story.
Creating a new superhero, especially in today’s era of costumed do-gooders dominating pop culture, is challenging. There are a lot of factors to consider when crafting a character who can stand out among the vast number of titles released every month.
In the case of The Pedestrian, there is a lot to be celebrated in how this premiere issue brings readers into a world that is relatable and farfetched. Like the film Jaws, the script from writer Joey Esposito cleverly limits the amount of time The Pedestrian is on the page. For most of this story, it’s the town and its inhabitants who assist in worldbuilding. Many of the characters have familiar experiences like struggling with poor paying jobs despite being educated, or feeling like the capitalist system is rigged and those who start off behind will always stay there.
This level of commentary was unexpected for a story about a man whose super suit looks like what someone would wear to clean mold, but that is just part of the charm. The residents of Summer City feel real in their struggles and when they experience odd moments with The Pedestrian, it’s almost as if the characters and the readers go “ What the f*ck?!”
The story has such a fun vibe to it and even though it doesn’t demand readers take it overly seriously, there is a level of care in its creation that elevates the experience. It also helps that the art from Sean Von Gorman and colors from Josh Jensen match the tone of the story. There are also little details in the art that add to the fun experience of this premiere issue. For example, the Pedestrian has a rule that if a crosswalk says “WAIT,” he has to wait. These moments are intensely dramatic and the lettering from Shawn Lee makes the tension comedic as bystanders look confused. The flair for over the top isn’t cartoonish, but instead a play with light and shadow much like a noir title. There’s also little details that reward readers who take a moment to appreciate each panel such as the ID of a foiled criminal stopped by the Pedestrian showing he isn’t just a thief, but an organ donor as well.
Final Verdict
From the narrative to the fun character design, The Pedestrian is a strangely charming gem of a comic. Be sure to power walk to your LCS and see what all of the fuss is about—just don’t forget to abide by the lights.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.75 |
| Story/Plot | 9.75 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.75 |
| Colors | 9.75 |
| Final Score | 9.8/10 |