How many books can Jeff Lemire write monthly? He’s currently got his two hits from Image, Gideon Falls and Ascender, as well as his big Dark Horse superhero pastiche, Black Hammer, and all of its various spin-offs. He’s got a Joker miniseries at DC right now, as well as a Question miniseries launching later this month. And this week sees the release of his new horror series from Image, Family Tree.

The first issue, set in 1997, introduces us to single mom Loretta and her kids, Josh and Meg. Josh is a troubled teen, Meg is precocious and cute, Loretta is just trying to get by. They’re well-drawn characters, if not terribly unique. Except it seems like Meg is growing branches out of her back, and there are men with knives and hatchets hunting them, and their world has clearly turned upside down.

Lemire’s strength as a writer has always been the clarity of his characters, and that shows here. It’s easy to become immediately invested in Loretta and her family, even after knowing them for a few pages. It’s too early to tell if the plot will be similarly compelling, as it’s clear that this book is being written for the trade; Lemire doesn’t reveal much in this first issue. 

The art by penciler Phil Hester and inker Eric Gapstur is similarly opaque. Hester’s facial expressions and character designs are excellent and help draw the reader in. Hester and Gapstur’s use of blacks and negative space is fascinating as well and cements this book as a horror title (even though not much horrific has happened yet). The muted coloring by Ryan Cody goes a long way in establishing that creepy tone, as well. Letterer Steve Wands does excellent work keeping the story clear and setting the timing of the (surprisingly plentiful) moments of humor.

Family Tree #1 is a solid first issue, establishing the small circle of main characters and putting them in a horrific situation. The narration on the first page promises the end of the world; it will be interesting to see how the book gets from here to there.

Grade: A-