Stillwater Vol. 1: Rage Rage
Chip Zdarsky, creator/writer; Ramón Pérez creator/artist; Mike Spicer, colorist
Image Comics, 2021
After getting fired from his job and beaten by a bouncer at a bar, Daniel is ready for a change of scene. Receiving a letter inviting him to the town of Stillwater for the reading of a relative's will seems like a perfect opportunity for a road trip. He sets out with a friend, but odd things start happening on the trip. A gas station attendant in a nearby town has never heard of Stillwater; and as they get closer they do not see the town listed on any road signs. When they arrive in town they find no street signs, and no one seems to know the location of the law office.
When a child falls off of a nearby roof the townspeople seem oddly unconcerned, but the two outsiders rush him to the doctor. Things go downhill rapidly from there, and only the intersession of his mother prevents Daniel from being executed by the town strong man (technically a sheriff's deputy). There is a reason for all of the secrecy: back in 1986 something happened to the town. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, all of the residents were given eternal life (including the animals and plants). That makes Stillwater a kind of Eden, but the town leaders were concerned about what might happen if the outside world found out. So the decision was made to cut off all outside contact, which explains why it had looked invisible to the two visitors.
One bizarre effect is that everyone stays the same physical age they were in 1986, although with phenomenal healing powers. So the town children are all adults in children's bodies, a fate that Daniel's mother spared him by smuggling him out while still a young child. But he's back now, and the decision is made to accept him as a resident since he was born there. He's not keen on the idea, and it turns out that there is a group of townspeople who feel the same way. When they attempt to force the issue to a vote at a town meeting they are shut down, but respond by blowing up the town hall. In the mayhem Deputy Ted reveals the presence of his old military squad, armed and ready. Clearly there will be a new balance of power going forward.
Stillwater has an intriguing premise, and this first installment makes good on it. There is a large cast of interesting characters, and a unique setting (if a bit reminiscent of an old Twilight Zone episode). Pérez has a cartoony style that is frequently light on background details, but it works, and is especially effective in the action scenes. Looking forward to seeing how the story develops.
Replies
I've been reading this one, and I'm really enjoying it. Zdarsky is a name I'm looking out for more and more these days, but it was Ramon Perez's inviting art that initially sold me on picking it up.