Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #1 is a visually mesmerizing debut issue sure to please readers of all stripes, but will especially appeal to fans of Michael Dialynas’ past work, including Wynd and The Woods. In a stunning example of his endless creative skills, Dialynas writes, illustrates, colors, and letters the entire issue himself. His art is the pièce de résistance and a perfect complement to the fantasy story set in the dystopian society of Mesa Boon, whose citizens can’t (or won’t) grasp how their mayor is abusing his constituents and poisoning their environment.

Zawa, the titular character, is an ancient guardian trapped in a mountain aside pollution-spewing factories owned by the nefarious mayor. She's forced to sustain on industrial run-off, which has made her angry and destructive. Dialynas builds tension and and suspense by hiding her through the majority of the book with readers only learning about her through the tales and superstitions which have been passed down for generations. These are told by teens Thatcher, Leo, and Bandit — our human protagonists — as they attempt to break into the mayor’s factory to steal better ingredients but are afraid of running into Zawa, or as they call her, the Gobblegeist.

As their heist plays out over the issue, there is so much wonderful world-building through the interactions between the teenage trio. It’s a feat to feel this connected to a set of new characters, a new land, and all the intricate conspiracies that we’re likely be exploring as things unfold. The main characters are so endearing, you can’t help but root for them from the start.

By the end of the issue, you’ll feel fully immersed is Dialynas’ new world and based on how beautiful everything looks, you may never want to leave even though things appear dire. But that’s because Dialynas's art is a complete showstopper. Every page is an absolute delight with a unique blend of whimsy and creepiness. Character designs are expressive and detailed, and the world is lush and vibrant. I found myself stopping to just stare at the captivating art throughout the book.

This is an epic debut from a master creator at the top of his game. I can’t recommend this issue enough and I’m counting down the days until I can feast my eyes on what comes next.

Rating: 10/10