This is a damn near perfect first issue.  You've got the basics of Rori's new status quo with just enough sprinkled in to give you an idea of what to expect while not boring you with exposition about where she comes from or where she got her abilities.  Instead, writer Jim Zub gets right into the story and pulls you into this world head first to the point where you never want to leave. Read Full Review

Wayward #1showed readers just enough to leave them wanting more. Rori Lane is placed in a foreign land that she must navigate. Along with starting a new school and meeting new friends, mysterious attacks on the street and the case with the cats must be investigated. And what's up with the probability skills she showed? I'm ready to learn more next issue. Read Full Review

Steve is the penciller for this issue, with John and Jim (Zub!) as colourists, Marshall as letterer and Zack Davisson working on the back-matter for the issue. Again, the art here was totally fantastic. There's some really nice colourwork in this issue, with colours in the night-time suitably subdued and even a bit muted while the daytime colours are bright and peppy and… noticeable. And, Steve's pencilwork is beyond compare with his characters being properly proportioned, with clear expressive faces and lots of details in each panel. Plus the line-work in general is pretty clean and neat too. Read Full Review

I think that Wayward will be different from the other titles that Image is publishing, and that's a good thing. I think the Young Adult novel has finally made it to comics in the form of Wayward, and I think it will be one of the standout new titles of the year. Read Full Review

Wayward #1 is a fun take on Japanese Mythology with a great female lead and infectious energy to spare. Read Full Review

Wayward #1 is an engaging start to a title that looks to be something different than the norm, which is exactly what Image Comics represents and promotes. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

I'm not sure it's fair to base my final verdict on writer Jim Zub's previous work, simply because I know how different Wayward is meant to be from everything else he's done in the past, but I'm going to anyways; I owe Skullkickers' Rex and Rolf at least that much. Lucky for Mr. Zub, though, the art more then compensates for this lacking, and I have the utmost faith that Wayward‘s slow start will be long forgotten by the end of ish #2. Read Full Review

The last few pages of this comic are actually straight text. The writers have set Wayward in Japan, and they want their audience to know more about the culture and the mythologies present. At first I frowned, wanting more comic over a history lesson, but it didnt take long for me to enjoy the information given. Mythology is fun, and from the sounds of it, Japan has an amazing lexicon to work with. Once again, I look forward to more. Read Full Review

The Bottom Line: What we get in Wayward is a coming-of-age story with a touch of magical reality. The characters and plot seems a bit straight-forward so far, but what really sells issue is the fantastic depiction of setting that sets up the dichotomy between the reality and the magic in beautifully detailed scenes. Read Full Review

Wayward #1 really is Buffy The Vampire Slayer for a new generation. For how many times Buffy is brought up in this review, that is not to say that they are copies of each other because they really are not. Jim Zub took a concept that connects us with supernatural tales on another level and made it his own. Wayward is fun, interesting, looks great and is easy to follow. Sure there are many questions we need answered before we are 100% understanding of the story, but there is good faith that the creative team for this series can pull it off. Read Full Review

"Wayward" #1 is a really strong first issue that is really for anyone looking for an exciting new series to jump in on at the ground floor. As stated before, Rori is a very relatable lead character that any reader can connect to and when her world gets a little nuts, readers are ready to jump into the fray with her. The art is amazing throughout the issue and sets a nice tone for the story being told. Read Full Review

Now, I know this a really small thing to pick on, especially since this comic is something I'd rate above the norm, but there is a spelling error on Page 1. Call me a Grammar Nazi (and many have!) but that just irks me. And an established house like Image, with some 50 names on the inside cover? Surely someone could have caught it? Read Full Review

This is one book that I will absolutely be following each month. I'm a sucker for Japan anyway, but the great colors and artwork and the interesting characters has me hooked. I wish this could have come out at a time when TMNT wasn't as prominent as it is, because the inevitable comparisons are unfair, especially for a comic about Japan, where turtle spirits go back way before comics. Read Full Review

Jim Zub and Steve Cummings have what's potentially one of those rare crossover titles that can appeal to both comic book fans and manga fans. While I've read a whole lot of manga over the years, comics is where I first started and seeing such a strong opening issue that plays to both is really encouraging to see. The cast is quickly accessible, the action well choreographed and there's a whole world open with where it can go when it comes to Rori herself and what Ayane may introduce into the mix. Jim Zub does a great job here of making her human and interesting both in the internal dialogue and external while Steve Cummings gives us the kind of city look that comes from being there rather than just looking at a whole lot of photographs and extrapolating from that. Wayward has a lot of potential and it's definitely on my must-read list now. Read Full Review

An interesting start to a new series; plenty of promise Read Full Review

"Wayward" has the makings of a true hit. With a little more humor and a lot more ass kicking, this book is going to find a huge audience with comic fans. It's off to a great start. Read Full Review

The series will appeal to any fan of urban fairytales, Japanese manga and strong female leads. Rori Lane is a strong willed young woman with uncommon and mystifying events in her future. Wayward will hypnotize readers for issues to come. Read Full Review

Wayward pulls directly from the anime/manga genres and makes it function. The introductory issue has laid out the basic pieces of groundwork needed to be built upon and the art was able to captivate simultaenously. While it may not be anything groundbreaking for fans of the genre, there is still some great Japanese lore that Zub and Cummings are deriving from and their incredible faithfulness to the landscape of Tokyo might be proof enough that this series is worth paying attention to. Read Full Review

Wayward has pulled off a striking first issue that made for an incredibly fun read. A bright supernatural east-meets-west story has a little bit of something for everyone. This is one of those comics you can give to a manga fan who says they don't read “comics,” that may change their mind. This first issue only felt like a small taste of what this series has to offer, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more Wayward. Read Full Review

The first issue does a great job of introducing us to Rori, and it sets up a lot of mysteries that will be explained as the series progresses. There's a lot thrown at us, especially in the latter part of the book, and that's not completely explained, nor does it need to be. All of it is intriguing, and seems like it could be a lot of fun to explore. Wayward #1 is a solid debut, bringing us a new female heroine to cheer for. Is it the next coming of Buffy? That we'll have to wait and see. Read Full Review

Overall, it may have just been the sort-of shocking turn that won me over, but I actually ended up quite enjoying Wayward. Anyone who's a fan of strong females beating the crap out of mystical Japanese turtle creatures, or general adventure romps with the hint of some semi-serious undertones, would do well to check out this book. Read Full Review

WAYWARD is a truly unique offering, even in the already-diverse selection Image has been publishing lately. For now, it's age-appropriate for a wide range of readers, and it explores Japan from a supernatural angle that isn't often seen in Western comics. Zub, Cummings, and team have piqued my interest, and I can't wait to see how a feisty half-Irish teen handles being swept up in Japanese myth. Read Full Review

Story aside, the interiors are lush and bright. The lines are defined and everything has so much detail in every page. Even characters in the background have definition in their faces. It all seems like it could go somewhere interesting and all the pieces are there. I'm willing to give it one or two more issues to see where it leads. Read Full Review

Do I believe that Wayward is the next Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Not really, but only because it's only like Buffy in the most superficial of ways. It has a female lead, there are monsters, and said female lead kicks monster butt. In reality, the story is unique enough to stand on its own merits and this debut issue did a solid job of setting up the narrative and introducing the players. In the end, I suspect this book will be as much about the lead's personal journey of self-discovery as it will be about monster slaying. Read Full Review

Wayward is a charming book, you warm to the main character instantly whilst reading this and for fans of things such as Buffy or really any coming of age tale with a supernatural twist. Hopefully over the coming issues we will see Rori's personality explored some more and her powers develop some more but, this issue serves as a perfect introduction to her world and is a great read. Read Full Review

A delightful debut issue that be sure to please fans of Buffy and Manga. Read Full Review

With a stellar creative team, "Wayward" #1 has a lot going for it, reading like a fantastical "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"-meets-Studio Ghibli film with an R-rated twist. Bright, vibrant, and alive, Rori Lane's world will enchant readers with its relatable protagonist, intense action and fascinating mythological allusions. Read Full Review

Between the Japanese setting and Ayane’s army of cats, there is little doubt that Zub has his eyes set on an otaku audience. Drawing on a number of tropes commonly found in anime and manga, Wayward is comfortingly familiar without being especially groundbreaking. The creators are playing to their strengths, and Zub sets up just enough to make this worth a second or third look in the months to come. Read Full Review

“Wayward” #1 delivers a fun premise with a quirky protagonist.The first issue delivers a lot of promise, let's hope the creators continue with that in the second installment. Read Full Review

The art is very reflective of the culture the book is trying to represent, and the pacing is great. However, when the weird Ninja Turtle style bad guys show up, it feels a bit strange (even when considering that there are teenage girls fighting huge turtles). For some reason, you are left wishing that it was just a straight story without the supernatural aspects. However, this is only a first issue, and it does ask questions that desire answers. Read Full Review

It really seemed like they had a hard time finding their footing, while using all the basic story cliches known to man. Another thing I hope is improved on is creature designs. We are only introduced to one of them which is a Kappa, except it's missing the one defining feature that makes a Kappa which is the bowl like head that is filled with water. Now, if they had went the route of steering away from typical mythological design and still made it cool it would be one thing but in the end, they really just look like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ripoffs. Even if it was a somewhat unimpressive first release, I still look forward to what may come of it in the future. Read Full Review

Going to give the second issue a chance to see if it livens up the story a bit, but I don't think I would spend money on this series based off of this first issue. Read Full Review

A fair start, not utterly compelling, but enough to pique my interest. Read Full Review

Ill start with me. I know I had some harsh criticisms above, but its mostly elements that can be tweaked. I have hopes that the noted criticisms was are result of trying to move toward the action of the story, and now that were there, the creators can just tell a fun yarn with a unique environment. Rori is a likable character. Utilizing Japanese folklore is a great angle. Though this book can still improve, its an efficient start for a promising premise. Read Full Review

Jim Zub and Steve Cummings' Wayward #1 is an extremely interesting premise that, at least in its first issue, doesn't quite find confident footing. Everything, from the writing to the art to the coloring, is almost good, almost engaging. Read Full Review

Wayward is the kind of fish-out-of-water comic book that puts a character in a strange land and confronts them with strange things. In that vain it would have made more sense that she couldn't speak Japanese but there may be a reason for that to be revealed later. This book has an all-ages feel but seems to be more directed at the teenaged reader. It's a good comic but not one that I can see myself sticking with unless the story takes some unexpected turns. Read Full Review

I anticipate many people will find this story exciting and intriguing, but it's just not for me. I simply can't connect at all with the way this comic is written and besides that one good fight scene, the whole story was pretty bland to me. Read Full Review

Average everything

This coming book has quite simply the most wild and beautiful color layout I've ever seen. I bought it for that reason. I'm also a fan of japan and manga. I'm sorry, but this was a huge disappointment. I thumbed through the pages and figured I'd really enjoy the book based on the artwork alone. The problem is that there's really NO substance to this thing. It's like meeting a beautiful woman and realizing that there's NOTHING to her. I can't help but draw the comparison to Jet Grind Radio, a game that was visually STUNNING, and DEVASTATINGLY impossible to actually enjoy. Whoever gets the japan with fluorescent colors thing RIGHT is going to make millions. The lack of substance really hit me when I got to the first two page spread that said something like "THIS!" (NOTHING) "IS MY NEW LIFE!"...There was supposed to be something interesting on those pages...there really was. It was supposed to be a compelling look at the myriad of different people you'd find on the street and how awe inspiring the complexity of each of their lives is...but there were only like five or six characters in the spread...which doesn't even make sense given this is Tokyo we're talking about and NONE of them were doing ANYTHING that provoked any sort of wonder. One guy had a weird top hat and suit but he just looked quite frankly retarded. I'm not one to post hate reviews or really any reviews at all...I'm just passionate about this. I've been ripped of by things involving japan and shiney colors enough time to feel that I've GOT TO WARN EVERYONE ELSE. ...just do yourself the favor and look at a few pages and then leave this one alone. The coloring...INCREDIBLE. The art...great I guess...but it lacks the intricacies that really make something like this worth looking at. The characters don't even appear to be looking at each other and there's certainly "nothing to connect with" as I saw in one review (Well said person who wrote that) because the characters aren't more

This comic had me hooked right up until she encountered the evil teenage mutant ninja turtle gang. There is zero substance in this book, only flash. PASS