Spill Zone Book 1

Bought at a book fair at my school in Shanghai, China.

Title: Spill Zone
Issue: Book 1
Date: 2018
Publisher: First Second Books
Writer: Scott Westerfeld
Art: Alex Puvilland
Colorist: Hilary Sycamore

Set in the aftermath of an unexplained incident that has destroyed the city of (lovely) Poughkeepsie, New York, and left it a wasteland ofinexplicable phenomena, the story follows former resident Addison, who lost her parents in the disaster, and whose younger sister has not spoken in the three years since that night.

Addison leads a dangerous life on the outskirts of the Spill Zone, sneaking inside to take photos that she sells to black-market collectors. But her biggest customer has now approached her with an offer too good to pass up, one that will take her right into the heart of the madness.

Meanwhile, the only arrival of a second spill incident, this one in North Korea, has arrived in New York with a mission of his own.

This was a great blend of SF, fantasy, and horror that tells a fast-paced story without giving too much away. Addison is tough, resourceful, and possibly in over her head, but her grief for the loss of her parents and her love for her sister guide her actions. Meanwhile younger sister Lexa has a wonderfully creepy ongoing silent interaction with a ragdoll named Vespertine that is definitely more than it appears.

Bonus story reveals now Lexa and Vespertine survived Spill Night.

In terms of the main plot, not a ton is resolved, but this opening volume still felt satisfying while leaving tons of room for exploration as the story continues.

Rating: 8.5/10