26/10/2023
Easthaven Eight proves the Superhero Genre still has Gas in the Tank
So I pretty much swore off anything superhero for 2023. Marvel and DC were dead to me already after the recent slew of half-ass productions and it only got easier when I learned we wouldn't get The Boys Season 4 for another year. In these dark times I’ve sought out audio dramas to fill the void. Fortunately, Easthaven Eight has forced me to reconsider the dark oath I made to forsake any and all superhero media.
The show comes from Scyther Podcast Audio Dramas, who are no strangers to the genre with the likes of X-Men already under their belts, and this first episode wasted no time in getting going. We drop right in on the aftermath of something catastrophic. We don't know much, at least at first - There was an explosion at some sort of outdoor rave, only a handful of survivors (our namesake eight), and the best the town can offer up to figure it all out is a racist sheriff who wants to blame it on terrorists. What unfolds is a well acted, nice roll out of drama, mystery, and intrigue. Ryan Tibbitts and Sarah Nightingale in particular do a damn fine job in the roles of two angsty teenagers coming to terms with their possible blooming super powers in the midst of a crisis. I also like the choice to mix accents (US/UK) which I think is an audio director secret more creators should leverage.
In addition, the sound design is excellent with crisp effects, believable soundscaping, and great mixing. What's even better than all that is the music. There is the cool, eerie, synth-driven underscore that really helps keep me locked in. Don’t cheat yourself. This is a show you want to save for when you have a nice pair of headphones available.
If I had one criticism of the first episode, it's the tendency to lean a bit hard on narration. When it's used to frame a superpower like telepathy or a character’s key inner thoughts it works well, however, I think the show would be well served to back off a little in the future, especially when shifting between character POVs which can compound its over use. That said, it may just be my preference and some people do prefer a heavy narrative style. If that's the case, you will feel right at home in Easthaven.
Opinions on narrative frameworks notwithstanding I am keen to see where this one goes and the first episode ends on a nice cliffhanger, leaving you hungry for what's to come. If you're a fan of superheroes and looking for something better (and let's face it you are) give The Easthaven Eight a shot.