An Eisner Award winning digital comic makes its collected print debut in Barnstormers: A Ballad of Love and Murder. It’s 1927—the late days of the barnstorming era, when pilots competed with each other by performing deadlier and more wondrous feats. Injured pilot Hawk E. Baron is back from the frontlines of the war. Still a young man, he’s an adventurer who lives his life traveling from town to town in his plane entertaining folks—most of whom have never seen a car, let alone a plane. His world changes when he meets Tillie, a young woman who shares his passion for aviation and adventure. They become a traveling act, delighting folks with their antics. Tillie even becomes Hawk’s wing-walker, climbing out on the wing of the plane mid-flight to perform death-defying acrobatics.  When they learn they are suspected of a horrific crime, their journey becomes an even deadlier race against time.

Originally released as a ComiXology original, Barnstormers sees two top comic creators come together for a classic pulp story. Scott Snyder has become one of the biggest names in comics thanks to his many years working on various acclaimed Batman titles for DC. He has in recent years returned his attention to creator owned projects which have resulted in several hits including Wytches, Night of The Ghoul and Nocterra. This latest series sees him reunite with Tula Lotay who illustrated part of his All-Star Batman run. Lotay is an acclaimed figure in comics in her own right with various illustration work for Image, DC, Marvel and other publishers to her name along with being the founder of the much-loved UK comic convention Thought Bubble.

Barnstormers plays to both creators’ strengths with a captivating story and lush art. Snyder has a ton of experience working with themes that permeate pulp storytelling from both his Batman comics and independent work (American Vampire being a great example). The resulting story is a fantastic throwback to classic American storytelling that feels like Bonnie and Clyde mixed with The Great Gatsby. Additionally, Snyder also delves into a part of the history of WWI pilots that isn’t often examined or featured in media.

Hawk and Tillie are enthralling leads and carry the story tremendously. Tillie whilst seeking to get out of a loveless engagement becomes attracted to Hawk’s way of living whilst Hawk is drawn to Tillie’s sense of adventure. Additionally, the story is narrated by Zeke West – a lawman assigned to track Hawk and Tillie down – who adds some more perspective to their antics.

This is one of Lotay’s longest projects as an artist and no page is wasted. This is some of her very best work with stunningly lush panels capturing the tone and aesthetic of the time perfectly. Her characters are all beautifully realised and her use of colour adds a level of vibrancy and romance to the comic which perfectly complements Snyder’s script.

Barnstormers has generated a lot of acclaim since its release and it’s easy to see why. It is a wildly entertaining historical thriller which will appeal to a broad range of comic readers – particularly those who have a fondness for classic noir and pulp storytelling.