Since I reviewed the promotional version of Orphans of the Impact Winter #1 (which also had a successful Kickstarter campaign), it’s gone through a number of revisions; in addition to a gorgeous new cover, further visual refinements to the interior art and new lettering throughout.

So, how is this new version?

Let’s take a look.

Orphans of the Impact Winter is a story that takes place simultaneously in two states; a devastated, post-apocalyptic reality in which a boy named Chuck is trying to survive, alongside his faithful dog Addie, and the imagined reality conjured up by Chuck as a coping mechanism.

Chuck’s imagination casts him in the role of an intrepid space explorer, with Addie a bipedal canine companion rather than a quadruped. It’s a dayglo universe that Chuck has conjured up in a gorgeous, retro-futuristic style, and you can see exactly, when we switch back to the bleak reality of the actual world, why the lonely, hungry boy needs his imagination to survive.

NCIS: Los Angeles writer Lee A. Carlisle, artist Ross Carlisle and colourist Marina Goncalves, along with letterer Marco Ventura, the latest member of the team, have crafted something incredibly special here.

Though this first issue isn’t without hope, or optimism, there’s a truly heartbreaking and poignant story behind the vivid sci-fi imaginings of our protagonist.

It’s a remarkable first issue, and I’m genuinely looking forward to checking out the rest of the five part series, which has been fully funded via Kickstarter.

As mentioned in my previous review, the comic’s official website cleverly allows visitors to switch between the contrasting styles and realities too; it’s well worth taking a look.

The first issue is due to be released as a digital download on April 17th, but you can sign up for news and updates via the official website too.

Echoing my sentiments from the first review of Orphans of the Impact Winter #1. it’s a comic that I can highly recommend checking out, and I can’t wait for the bleak, yet beautifully written and illustrated, story to continue.