I picked up Dynamite’s Supernatural #1 at Free Comic Book Day this year, and I’m so happy I got to read it – it felt like I was watching an old school, season one episode of the TV Show!
Supernatural #1 Review: A Nostalgic Return to the Season 1 Formula
Supernatural #1 was written by Greg Pak with art by Eder Messias. While the art doesn’t look exactly like Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles (for obvious reasons), the artistic styling is similar enough that I still picture them interacting together while reading the comic book panels.
Greg Pak and Eder Messias: Capturing the Winchester Cadence
The cadence of the Winchester brothers’ speech also closely resembles the show, but in a unique way that doesn’t completely mirror what’s already been established for these characters.
For example, in the first few pages, Sam is holding a candle with an open flame (for whatever reason) while seated in a small-town diner. In typical Sam fashion, he’s mopey and lamenting the fate of Jess due to her death at the hands of Azazel after interrupting the blood-transfer ritual.
Sam’s grief over Azazel is a cornerstone of the Supernatural mythos, but the history of the Yellow-Eyed Demon extends far beyond the show’s script. For a deep dive into the research behind the War in Heaven, head over to Stories From the New World for our breakdown: Azazel, Astaroth, and the War in Heaven – Fallen Angel Research.
Dean, in very typical Dean fashion, chose to remind Sam that what he said aloud was a dream (toward discerning ears) while simultaneously hitting on a waitress within earshot nearby. Towards the end of the issue, however, it seems like the usually stoic Dean actually shares his true thoughts with Sam, which vastly contrasts with the show.
Corporate Occultism and the Imp’s Curse: Breaking Down the Plot
So, the story in this issue basically chronicled the Winchester Brothers’ interaction with Steff Windler, the CEO of Windler Enterprises. “Effie” sought to “monetize the occult” as many modern CEOs, corporations, and even royal families have (allegedly) done for centuries.
It is a tale as old as time.
I’m not exactly sure where Bobby comes into this, but it is mentioned that Bobby worked at the “Windler’s Old No. 13” factory (which is totally not a play on Jack Daniels whisky, of course) and was hired by Effie to capture an imp who had wound up in the factory.
The Legend of the South American Imp: Riches at the Price of a Soul
Imps can bestow incredible earthly riches unto those who can successfully capture them, at the price of their immortal soul. I personally learned about imps of the South American variety (think “El Duende”) some years ago, and from my understanding, they are lecherous, vulgar little creatures who you can only “permanently” get rid of by capturing them in a bottle and throwing it far out into the ocean…hoping nobody opens the “empty bottle” if it ever washes ashore.
In Effie’s case, I guess Bobby captured the imp, risked his soul (I guess this was before Crowley made him his b*tch over the horseman ring apocalypse info in the Supernatural season five timeline?), and decided Effie didn’t need the imp in her possession after learning what she intended to do with it.
Somehow, this factory-employed bum named Ritchie got hold of the imp, and the bottle somehow cracked – which would release its seal, and allow the imprisoned imp to move around unbound by the caster’s sealing spell and of its own volition.
Ritchie gets lit up by the imp due to proximity after the seal broke, and Effie tricked Sam and Dean into helping her recapture the imp for monetary gain.
The corporate occultism of Windler Enterprises is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the dangerous intersection of wealth and ancient sigils. Explore how other modern dark fantasies handle the mechanics of eldritch deals in our review of The Old God’s Folly: Cult of the Lamb Vol. 1 Review – Occult Themes, Sigils, and Eldritch Lore.
Character Evolution: Classic Dynamics with a Comic Twist
Circling back to Dean’s open behavior toward Sammy, while the brothers discuss Effie callously deciding to toss her soul away for earthly gain, Dean literally says, “That was her choice, Sammy. Guess she’s planning to do a lot of living before her time’s up.” Then commenting, “Different strokes”, in reference to Effie propositioning them for work, since working for The Most High “doesn’t pay” in her opinion.
Meanwhile, you never truly know when your time is up. Effie could drive away, arrive home to her compound, and on the way inside, crack the bottle, and then be sent to hell for all eternity before the Winchester bros even drive into Vegas for their next adventure.
While the Winchesters have decades of lore to lean on, new entries in the demon-hunting genre are still struggling to find their voice. Compare Sam and Dean’s seasoned approach to the fresh, lore-heavy world of Studio Psycho’s latest pilot: Heathens Pilot Review: Great Concept, Missing Lore? Studio Psycho’s Demon Bounty Hunters.
“Different Strokes”: Dean’s Surprising Bluntness and Moral Outlook
Nothing is guaranteed in life, and sometimes the “harder” path is worth it when your soul is called into question. Dean basically (and quite bluntly) expressed that, while simultaneously moving on from the situation in good spirits, which is a unique facet of the character that the comic writer and artist were able to capture and successfully express through their work.
You can pick up Supernatural #1 over on Dynamite’s Official Website. Each issue of this comic series is set to include a “special photo cover” showcasing the beloved cast from the original TV show.
But, tell me your thoughts: Are you a Supernatural fan? Do you know of any companies that have “monetized the occult” for earthly gains, like the Parker Brothers’ “Ouija board” in 1966?
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