Air #1 by G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker is Vertigo’s new on-going series. Like all new Vertigo titles my interested is always peaked by the possibilities stories beginning, the introduction of character and ultimately the imagination of a creator placed on pulpy paper.

Wilson’s begins her tale with Blythe, a air line stewardess, falling from a commercial 747 to earth in the arms of a mysterious man.

Cue, Flashback.

Airline travel in the post-911 world of Air has become a dangerous proposition. At least two clandestine organizations, operate in direct competition to prevent further terroristic acts involving airlines. Blythe’s mysterious man is, in fact, the James Bond of one of these organizations, Al Qaeda or British Airways. Inevitability, Blythe becomes involved with the man and the covert conspiracy.

Perker’s art, while being eerily similar to Ian Churchill, is clean and crisp however lacks seriousness or drama.

As a first Issue, Air # 1 failed to generate a desire to know what happens next. The premise of the book fells like it was created from a naval-gazing, self-involved personal dislike of the writer towards Airlines… and we all hate airlines.

Neil Gaiman is quoted on the book’s cover, comparing is issue to the “magical-realism” of Salman Rushdie. I just feel like the story was difficult to follow and poorly devised.