Advance Review: Tula Lotay’s Art Lifts ‘Barnstormers’ #1 To The Stratosphere

Digital comics are fine for readers looking for a good story or those without much space for long boxes full of books. But to fully appreciate the luscious art in an issue requires a physical copy where you can study and admire illustrations and paintings in the real world.

That is why Barnstormers – which had its first incarnation as a digital-only ComiXology series – is now available in print.

Tula Lotay’s art is simply transcendent. From an amazing cover that makes you want to learn more about these flying entertainers from a century ago to a gorgeous femme fatale to – oddly enough – a malicious robot, Lotay’s painted works forces readers to turn the page to behold the next beauty. Given her style, with some extra color help from Dee Cunniffe, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else illustrating this series.

That is not a knock on Scott Snyder’s script. Snyder delivers a compelling story complete with an unlikely budding romance, a bit of Bonnie & Clyde, an extended chase, as well as that robot. The leading man, who calls himself Hawk E. Baron but is actually Bixby Huckett, is a charmer. He’s also apparently escaped from an asylum. His partner Tillie is trying to leave her would-be husband at the altar (during a wedding that Bix literally crashes). Add in a Pinkerton man in pursuit, and Snyder has yet another hit on his hands.

Snyder’s real success comes, unexpectedly, from his narration. While you are gawking at Lotay’s pages, the text boxes offer their own surprise. It’s a bit of foreshadowing from a mysterious narrator who clearly plays a large role in the story. It’s a real treat to complement the great artwork.

Fans of this creative team already knew the series was a hit. (And so did Comicon.com in our review of the digital version.) But getting the issues in your hands and seeing the artwork up close, gives readers the opportunity to again celebrate this great series.

Barnstormers #1 is currently available for purchase.