Review by Frank Plowright

The entirety of a Wisconsin high school has been transported to an alien planet primarily overgrown with dense woodland. Humans have been abducted there for centuries, and quite the community has developed, although with warring factions and the over-riding threat of an undiscovered controlling presence.

James Tynion IV’s plot has so far concentrated on six teenage pupils, but New London ended with one of them seemingly killed. A fast pace is key to The Woods, so rather than deal with the aftermath, Tynion begins this volume by jumping forward a year. It’s a technique previously used to good effect, although not involving such a great leap, and the necessary progress is rapidly filled in. The biggest change is in Karen, previously insecure and needy, but now an isolated and very efficient hunter. A change surely to have ramifications beyond this content is a few hundred people from a 21^st century high school bringing their problems with them, encouraged by one of the series’ out and out villains. Most cast members are confused, lashing out or guilty, but there’s no black or white with Casey McCready, it’s black all the way.

As the sample spread shows, much work has been done fortifying the area around the school, creating a distinct new community complete with living accommodation and allotments. While useful shorthand, it also raises questions about what must have been a couple of dozen teachers transported to the planet and what they’ve been up to. With the focus on teenagers so few have been seen.

In the time-honoured way of extended dramas, Tynion has been gradually expanding the cast, and for the first time Michael Dialynas is having difficulty coming up with designs. There are places where it’s not clear which of a couple of characters is being spotlighted. He’s such a complete storyteller in every other respect, and continues to impress with new designs. The battleship is especially notable.

While relations with between the high school and New London have been good, secrets are being kept by those who’ve been longer in the woods, and it’s starting to become a safety concern. As he’s done from the start, Tynion keeps things moving rapidly and ends with one hell of a shock. The Horde is next.

This is collected in hardback along with the next two paperbacks as the second Yearbook Edition, or you can buy the entire story in one massive book just called The Woods.