Before I get to anything else, I just have to say that this was a truly spectacular first issue.

I went into this series knowing absolutely nothing about it, and I couldn't have come out of reading the issue feeling more satisfied.  This series could turn out to be a fantastic piece of graphic literature. 

The art is dynamic and epic.  Every character has such an interesting, sort of cartooney shape and expressive face, while never straying too far from looking realistic.  This is one of the first times that I've really been blown away by the coloring of a book.  The mix of rich, sandy browns and muted tones made for such an interesting pallete and made the eventual reveal of the dragon's even more fantastic, in all of their intricately drawn glory. 

The 1930's seems like an underused setting in comics and I'm very glad to see that it is being used to enhance the story rather than to limit it.  Being in the 30's gave the main cast an obvious reason to be in poverty and to seek out less than desirable employment.  There is obvious desperation in the main cast that is carried out to some interesting extents.  It also gives the artist the chance to work on the incredibly interesting fashions of the period.  The clothing is sometimes just as exciting as the dragons (or maybe that's just me.)

This did exactly what a first issue needs to do, make me want to buy the second issue.  I cannot wait for another installement of this series.  The final page just begs the reader to come back for more.