People should definitely read this. Read Full Review

A fantastic start to a new series with a strong new voice and stunning art. Its educational, its entertaining, its edutainment! Read Full Review

Though Fairbairn has colored more comics than I could list here (and to much acclaim), this is only the second comic that he is credited as writing (the first being a short story in the Batman: Incorporated Special), but you'd never guess that here. This reads like the confident work of an experienced writer. My only complaint is at the paucity of more diverse characters, but the last few pages introduces a female character who looks to have a large role imminently. (And since it takes place in a tiny village in the south of France in 1220AD, I can forgive its lack of POCs.) Clocking in at a hefty forty-four pages, this is one of the best Image debuts this year, and the start of a series I can't wait to continue. Read Full Review

This 44 page first issue gets things off the ground, introducing all the characters, the situation they're in, and the conflict they will be facing. Fairbairn's pacing is nicely handled and I got a good mix of action, character building, and background on the world of 1220 AD. I appreciated how the history of the time was blended seamlessly into the storytelling. I got a lot of context out of the story as I was reading it, never feeling like I was being lectured, but getting a lot of valuable info as I was carried along by the narrative. I'm looking forward to the continuation of this tale. Were the big bugs they met this issue the only survivors of the alien ship, or will we be meeting even more challenging foes? I don't know but I'm anxious to find out! Read Full Review

Over all though. This story has got off to a bit of a mixed start. But I'm intrigued enough to come back and try the second issue. Read Full Review

Making full use of its oversized format, Lake of Fire #1 is at once sprawling, immersive debut. Read Full Review

All in all, this was a fun issue to read. Matt and Nathan make a great artist/writer team. Matt's lines were fantastic, as were Nathan's colors. And while the writing may not have been perfect, it was far from the worst script to come across my desk. Definitely pick this one up. If the art isn't selling it, maybe this will. 44-pages for $4 is a killer deal. I give Lake of Fire 4 out of 5 stars. Read Full Review

This is a great story for anyone who likes a good adventure. The language used reflects the time period, so it won't be for everyone, but definitely for fans of the medieval times. The fact that there is a sci-fi aspect to this series blows my mind. I've never really seen the two genres mixed together as much as this, but it works really well. I fully recommend you head over to your local comic shop and give it a read. Read Full Review

Lake of Fire #1 reminds me a bit of a few other Image titles I wish were still around; Chris Robeson's Sovereign and J Bone's The Saviors, they all have a childlike facade to them, but pack a serious story. I hope that this book stays around as it is more of a slow burn, and it's possible to drop off before things really get going. Do yourself a favor and give this one; 44 pages of comics for $3.99, totally worth it. Read Full Review

For those looking to another potential great read your weekly stack just got bigger. Nathan Fairbairn was given the chance to show what he can deliver as a writer and so far he has done quite well with his opportunity. There are some pacing issues that need to be worked out, and he may need to trust in his artist more and his worlds a little less to tell this story. Overall though for what is essentially a debut issue this was an impressive comic. Read Full Review

Lake of Fire #1 is the best debut issue to be published by Image Comics in 2016. It establishes its characters, world, and, most importantly, themes in a clear manner. Fairbairn and Smith are sure of what they want to say and make it clear in this introduction. There is a long road ahead for the crusaders of this comic and their allies. The questions asked here will not be answered for some time, much less the question of who will remain and what will be left of them. One thing is for certain: Lake of Fire is a devotion to the conflict between ideals and reality distilled in artwork that will chill you to the bone. Read Full Review

The period setting of this book had me interested because I know medieval tales always have a high level of drama and action associated with it due to the sense of honor of squires and knights or the lack thereof of old crusade veterans who see the world for what it truly is. But throw in a crash landing with these chitinous armored "demons" and the story takes a hard left from what I would expect from a story about red cross bearing crusaders. One issue in and I am already putting in a subscription to make sure I get my hands on the next issue. Read Full Review

Overall, it's a good read, but it's a little too early to tell if Lake of Fire will rise above the easy stereotypes. Calling this “King Arthur versus Aliens” is pretty much right on the nose, especially with the optimistic world view of some of the young knights. I'll be watching for issue #2, but I'm really hoping this is more than just another “humans were the real monsters all along” story to add to the pile. Read Full Review

Matt Smith's art is fine, if mostly medieval-focused. It'd be nice to see him cut loose on the aliens, but alas, we don't see much of them in this issue. Some glimpses, and a lot more towards the end, but he mostly keeps the story grounded until the big finish of this first chapter. One thing the reader will appreciate, though: this opening issue is double-sized. At $3.99, readers definitely get their money's worth compared to, say, your standard superhero stuff. Read Full Review

Before there is any confusion, let me set something straight: Lake of Fire is not a bad book, it just hasn't figured out what it wants to be quite yet. There are brief moments of redemption, but largely it seems as if Fairbairn is still in the midst of a “feeling-out” process with his story and characters, unsure of exactly where he wants to take them or how he wants to get there. The good news is Fairbairn is a seasoned veteran with a multitude of talent; he has all the tools to turn this around. The best comics are often a marathon rather than a sprint, and I am confident that Lake of Fire will be the proverbial tortoise that slews the hare. It's either that or he's going to have an Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull-type situation on his hands, and we all know that there is no coming back from that kind of carnage. Read Full Review

Quite good but the language of the times is a bit tiring. Too bad it couldn't be a bit more moderned up.