I am excited to see more of the story and really find out what we are dealing with in the visitor from the stars. How will the actions of this strange being impact the town's survival? Will this ultimately cause more harm then good? We will find out soon enough. Read Full Review

Provided the rest of the series is as stunning as this first issue, Waid and Jones should make room on their mantles for some Eisners. "Strange Fruit" #1 is a must read for anyone who is a fan of the medium. This could easily be a gateway story for new readers once collected. Do not miss this book when it arrives in stores on July 8. Read Full Review

The fully painted art by J.G. Jones was exquisite and added a sense of realism to the story that would be missing if rendered in a different art style. Take out the strange visitor from another planet and we could be reading straight historic fiction, or perhaps a retelling of events that actually happened. Waid and Jones really combined to make this story click for me. I don't want to wait a month for #2! If you read it in collected edition format you won't have to endure a frustrating wait between each issue of this 4 issue series, on the other hand, you'll be depriving yourself of seeing this masterful bit of comics storytelling for 3-6 months waiting for the trade. Read Full Review

Unfortunately this book is based in the grim past of American history in the 1920s and the language used and the horrible treatment towards African Americans is not fiction. That aside it is well written and honest, the pacing makes the story very interesting largely because of the detail in each panel Read Full Review

Issue 2 is set to be explosive. With the way this one ends, be sure to find an even more intriguing follow-up on the shelves in the near future. Waid and Jones are a perfect pairing and it truly seems that this series will stand the test of timegiving us a historical epic we can all enjoy. Read Full Review

Issue #1 of Strange Fruit ranks up there with other great first issues such as Kingdom Come. I cannot wait to see what JG Jones and Mark Waid have in store for us in the next installment of this series. Read Full Review

Overall, Strange Fruit #1 by J.G. Jones and Mark Waid is just great. From the convincing writing to the beautiful artwork, this comic's just a masterpiece. And while the whole comic's serious, the writers don't really forget that they still have the freedom to do something surreal which was shown here. Read Full Review

To sum up, when you look at the overall story, there is a comparison we can see with this story as it mirrors real life right now. There is a great disaster going on. Those in power, even when getting adequate help instead of utilizing the help, would rather lay blame on others rather than look in the mirror. Also, they allow themselves to be distracted by lesser matters, than focusing on the impending and obvious doom that approaches. This book in its own way is similar to Southern Bastards in that the story content about life in some parts of America are clearly defined in black and white and has not changed despite new rules and generations coming along. The commentary alone is worth the price of purchase. Read Full Review

This series is shaping up to be a good one. So far, we’ve gotten a few characters, and one literally big one, who is probably going to end up being the heart of this series. Both writing and illustration is on point, so there’s really no excuse not to get this book. Read Full Review

Overall, I think this is a very promising book. Four issues isn't a lot of time to cover the many facets of the story they have set up in this issue, but I'm hopeful that they can accomplish it. I can see this as an on-going world, and I'm definitely looking forward to read the rest of the series, and especially can't wait to see what our mysterious man from the sky is going to bring out in this town on the edge. Read Full Review

Strange Fruit #1 is an engrossing debut with a provocative premise. J.G. Jones and Mark Waid develop the world that instantly lives in the minds of their audience. While it would have been nice to see the characters move beyond their archetypes in this issue, this comic does a lot of things right in terms of establishing this scarred world. And with recent real-world events, Strange Fruit proves to be not just a comic of the past, but one of the present as well. Read Full Review

If you are worried that Strange Fruit is just another crack at rewriting the traditional Superman mythos in a radical new way, you can leave those notions at the check-out counter. Waid and Jones' intentions reach far beyond comic book lore. Read Full Review

STRANGE FRUIT #1 delivers and it delivers a fun and exciting story written by two excellent writers. While the subject matter could be controversial,Mark Waid and J.G Jones create a well thought out and realistic(ish) story that is intriguing. I would have to describe this book as “Of Mice and Men” meet “Superman”. The art was just beautiful. The colors were fantastic and I really love this style of paintings for a comic book. I can't even imagine how long a book like this would take to complete. STRANGE FRUIT is a limited series and I am surely going to pick up the entire series as this issue really impressed me and left me wanting more. Read Full Review

In the end, Strange Fruit #1 is an impressive debut coming from the best intentions, yet somehow manages skip a real emotional connection. Still, this is just the first issue, and both Jones and Waid do a great job in painting the picture of the era and place, while staying true to the mythical roots they're attempting to sow with this comic. Although it lacks the raw passions of the Billie Holiday song of which it shares a name, it's still a worthy read that will hopefully start a conversation - and that alone is a good start. Read Full Review

Right now I've got no idea where this story will end up. It's a complete mystery what the newcomer's intentions are, and how his presence will play into the impending flood. Waid and Jones have got me on for the long haul with this one. I could always do with seeing a few Klansmen get clobbered. Read Full Review

This new mini-series boasts both a superstar creative team and an intriguing premise that blends a Jim Crow-era Mississippi setting, the destructive 1927 flood and a racially charged spin on the Superman mythos. All of these elements blend to create a memorable debut, albeit a flawed one. Read Full Review

An intriguing start to a series that, hopefully, can back up its artistic ambition with some more developed characters going forward. Read Full Review

I opened by discussing what the title Strange Fruit meant outside of this comic, but, in truth, it's a fairly apt descriptor for this book itself. I was very excited for this book. What story did the man behind Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright have to tell in the beating heart of American racism? Well the first issue has come and gone and I'm still not sure. Strange Fruit #1 is a beautiful book, written in an attractive southern key, but, as of yet, I'm not sure why this story needed to be told. The art will be enough for some, but those looking for an honest look at the racist history of America or even a story of the same natural magnetism as much of Waid's work may be left wanting. It doesn't crash and burn, it doesn't offend, but Strange Fruit needs a shot in the arm next month if it's going to live up to its lofty pedigree. Read Full Review

“Strange Fruit” #1 was not something created with bad intentions.I don't believe for a second that Mark Waid and J.G. Jones did this with the intent to anger anyone. This is just an unfortunate misstep by two very talented creators and that does happens. It doesn't change my opinion on the good that Waid has done as a creator. “Strange Fruit” #1 is just one of those things didn't work. What could have been a bold story about race ends up falling over on it's own over observations and fails to give us characters to attach to. Read Full Review

Going into this comic blindly, I was shocked by how much I didn't like it, but more annoyed that I want to know where it's going. There are three issues left and as many problems I have with it, I want to know why this exists. Read Full Review

On its own Strange Fruit #1 isnt offensive. Its boring, bland, and entirely unnecessary, but it isnt filled with hate. However, it highlights a broader problem, one that is truly offensive. If this mediocre effort is embraced as challenging, then what hope do comics that actually reflect black history or experiences have? Strange Fruit isnt a comic to be praised; its an embarrassment. Read Full Review

Some interesting figures, but they aren't quite characters yet: the Senator, the Widow, the Engineer, Sonny, even the little boy with the dog. The issue left me wanting more from them, rather than wanting to see more from the Super Man. It is the regular people in this book that should be the heroes. And due to his amazing artwork J. G. Jones is a hero too.

I think it's a little early to condemn or applaud any of the insights Waid and Jones strive for with regards to race in this issue. It's interesting to witness everyone reading this with a microscope because of the today's political climate. Either way, I enjoyed this as a first entry and there is no denying that this is some of the best interior artwork you'll find in any comic on the stands.

It was fine.

A bit more straight-forward and simplistic than I expected, but still enjoyable. Don't expect any great insights on race here; this is basically Mark Waid's Black Superman.