The Seasons, penned by the incredible Rick Remender and brought to life through the beautiful illustrations of Paul Azaceta, is a mysterious adventure filled with enchanting visuals and an eerily captivating storyline.

A decade after the Seasons sisters’ beloved parents disappeared, a wicked carnival arrives in town. Within its big tent is a dazzling show led by an eldritch ringleader who offers comers-all a window into their heart’s every desire-provided they each leave a piece of themselves behind… Attendees arrive to enjoy the breathtaking entertainment obscured behind its canvas folds-and they leave distracted by the glint of these cursed mirrors.

Now it’s up to the often-overlooked youngest sister, Spring, to find her missing sisters and put a stop to the Faustian hold the carnival and its cursed mirrors have on its guests. But will she be able to piece her shattered family back together before it’s too late for them all?

Rick Remender opens the debut issue of The Seasons with an unexpected journey following Spring chasing after a piece of mail through her quaint hometown of New Gaulia. This seemingly mundane task unfolds over the first half of the double-length issue, which provided an engaging glimpse into the world before diving headfirst into the main plotline. The pacing during these initial pages of the series may seem slow but is deliberate and refreshing; it allows for world-building and a bit of character development while setting the tone for future issues.

Paul Azaceta’s illustrations and Matheus Lopes colors are nothing short of wondrous, capturing both the whimsical beauty and ominous darkness with equal imagination. Azaceta’s layouts are dynamic, while Lopes bold colors breathe life into each panel. The artwork, along with letters from Rus Wooton, not only complements Remender’s storytelling but it elevates it, making each page turn feel like stepping furthering into an alluring world where fantasy meets nightmare.

Despite the slower pacing, The Seasons #1 rewards us with nuanced storytelling combined with stunning artwork–a wonderful combination likely indicative not only here but throughout this series’ run given its talented creators involved behind-the-scenes. The debut issue left me eagerly anticipating what happens next as the mystery unfolds and we search for the missing sisters and stop the carnival.

The Seasons is both beautifully imaginative and hauntingly dark. Writer Rick Remender and artist Paul Azaceta have crafted a new series filled with whimsy and dread–a unique combination that sets itself apart in the world of comics. Things are ramping up and I have a strong feeling things are going to get weird–in a good way–moving forward.

The Seasons #1 hit local comic shops on January 29, 2025 from Image Comics.