Rainbow Brite #1 Is Everyday Magic

Writer: Jeremy Whitley / Artist: Brittney Williams / Dynamite COLOR COMMENTARY To start with a confession, readers: this humble reviewer holds only a passing recognition of Rainbow Brite. A cursory glance at Wikipedia, however, lists multiple iterations beyond the 1980s’ version of the character I’m familiar with. The question is: what distinguishes this recent incarnation — a Dynamite comic from their All Ages imprint — from previous ones? Fans of Rainbow Brite could analyze the transition from cartoon to comic better than I. If I know anything about what fans value most in the reboot of a creative property, however, it’s how well each new adaptation preserves its original source material. After reading issue 1 of Dynamite’s new Rainbow Brite comic, I’d suggest those picking up this comic on brand recognition alone might need to adjust their expectations accordingly. Regardless, every story has the potential to be someone’s first experience of a particular genre; and this would be a solid introduction to the world of Rainbow Brite. KNIGHT OF LIGHT Starting on a yet-to-be-introduced narrator, a fable is spun of heroes rising to face a menacing evil. The tale includes a few clever taps on the fourth wall before introducing the book’s true protagonists: two young girls named Willow and Wisp. Willow, our storyteller, has had her fan fiction fable interrupted by Wisp’s arrival outside the window of her room.

Together, the girls live out their legends with a pretend game of ‘Kn…