Bug Wars #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Mahmud Asrar
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Becca Carey
Cover Date: February 2025
Rating: 
This week, I will review “Bug Wars #1” from Image Comics.
This series introduces us to Slade Slaymaker, a kid from Alabama who suddenly finds himself lost in a vicious world beyond his imagination—a realm of marauding ant armies, spellcasting spider witches, and beetle-riding barbarians. It’s a kingdom of tiny but deadly warriors hidden in his backyard. The same world that witnessed his father being eaten alive by insects now thrusts young Slade into the middle of a brutal Bug War, which will determine the fate of his family. If you’re seeking a series more akin to “A Bug’s Life,” this is not for you. However, it offers a compelling drama infused with the right amount of fantasy and world-building that only Jason Aaron can deliver with such brilliance. It feels as if the spirits of both Frank Frazetta and Robert E. Howard is alive and well in this concept. Slade’s fascination with bugs and the connection they share with his father is both intriguing and frightening, leaving a significant impact throughout this issue. Once the backstory of Slade’s father is revealed, along with his older brother’s disdain for any bug he encounters, readers gain insight into Slade’s heroism, which will undoubtedly be fleshed out in the next few issues. For better or worse, this may change his perspective on bugs in general. “Bug Wars” brings a true Gladiator-esque feel, mixed with some “Heavy Metal” vibes that simply cannot be ignored. It exemplifies how fantasy stories never go out of style but are more in demand than ever, thanks to a series like this one.
Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you all next time.
About Author
