Review: TYSON HESSE’S DIESEL #1

Written & Illustrated By:  Tyson Hesse
Coloring Assistance By:  Mariel Cartwright
Letters By:  Jim Campbell
Designer:  Kara Leopard
Publisher:  BOOM! Studios’ BOOM! Box

Tyson Hesse’s Diesel #1 was a comic that was originally not on my radar.  After receiving a press release from BOOM! Studios, the description and artwork caught my eye.  A lighthearted adventure comic starring a young woman, with great art and a limited series?  Sign me up.

Diesel #1 stars Dee Diesel, soon-to-be 18 year old who is about to take over ownership of PeaceTown, a floating mobile community.  She is overzealous at times, which irritates those around her.

What I Liked

I was amazed by how expressive the comic turned out to be.  Hesse’s illustrations lean towards a cartoonish art style.  The comedic gags, like titles of various books, reminded me of a sitcom.  Readers can see every excited emotion from Dee, or angered pose from Cap Wells.

It was great seeing how Dee’s enthusiasm annoyed the crew of the ship.  You can tell Cap Wells and Dee have fought each other numerous times in the past.

Not much time is spent dealing with what happened to Dee’s father, the former Captain.  We find out through dialogue that he has passed away and left the ship to her.  Dee does not let this responsibility weigh her down.  She has all the confidence in the world that she is up for the task.  We do get to see a portrait of Dee with her father, so we at least get a visual of what he looks like.

Does Dee have special abilities?  We see her using static electricity to shoot objects, which is explained away in a funny bit with her rusty sidekick Rickets.

Hesse, Coloring Assistant Mariel Cartwright, and Letterer Jim Campbell increase the drama with sound effects and spooky colors when PeaceTowne is attacked at the end of the issue.

What I Didn’t Like

As entertaining as Dee is, her behavior makes it hard to believe that she is about to turn 18.  She acts more like a 15 year old.  Ultimately this is not a big deal.  It just feels that her impulsiveness is more fitting to a younger person.

Tyson Hesse's Diesel Main Cover by Tyson Hesse

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE