Advance Review: Some Hope Amid The Despair In ‘Edenfrost’ #1

From the original incarnation of Adam to the Golem of Prague, Jewish folklore is filled with references about golems. The creatures are formed from clay and mud, which often protects those in danger.

That is certainly the case in Edenfrost, a story about two teenage siblings on the run from Russian soldiers during the country’s civil war. The pair escaped from their village, which was apparently destroyed by a golem after soldiers went looking for communist agents. Members of the community turned on Alex and Yuli, killing their parents. Now the two are on the run again with more soldiers in pursuit.

The creative team, including writer Amit Tishler and artist Bruno Frenda grab readers with the first page of the issue. The village is seen burning, with the bodies of several soldiers barely visible through the snow and massive footprint from the monster. The initial word bubble has one of the kids saying ironically: “I miss springtime.”

Tishler tells a familiar story of people persecuted hunted because they are different. Yet the story feels hopeful, at least in this initial installment. The children know they should be morning, but they also know they must escape.

On that journey, instead of mourning, they fondly remember their mother’s words about the finding their village, which she called a little slice of Eden. Even the cold and snow can’t ruin it. Their mother simply called that Edenfrost. Unfortunately, that anecdote about survival and making the best of a difficult situation resonates strongly, given the current news out of Israel. To put even more of a point on it, this story takes place in Ukraine.

Frenda tells a strong visual story through this first issue. Although readers don’t see much of the golem, between some flashbacks and the chase, there’s plenty to feast your eyes on. Frenda does make a few curious choices. The first is flashbacks of the golem’s attack told through an old newsreel film. It’s unclear why he went in that direction, though future issues may shed some light. The rest of the colors are  consistent across the book – but unvarying, which gives nearly every page the same feel.

It will be interesting to see where these creators take the story. How much more will we see of the golem? Is it even real? What will these children have to endure to be free? The first issue is a good start, but there is plenty more story to tell here.

Edenfrost #1 will be available for purchase tomorrow.