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The latest chapter in the Stranger Things saga has just given one party member their own solo adventure to a place as scary as the Upside Down.
WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Stranger Things: The Tomb of Ybwen #1, available now from Dark Horse Comics.
Ever since Stranger Things burst onto the scene in 2016, the young heroes of Hawkins, Indiana have kept fans on the edge of their seats over the course of their various adventures. In that time,they have faced interdimensional monsters as well as very human threats, and they’ve always managed to pull through thanks to each other’s help. Now, a new kind of quest has arisen that Will Byers isn’t willing to pass up. Unfortunately, it looks like this will be a solo outing for the young adventurer as his party has leaves him out in the cold in the final moments of Stranger Things: The Tomb of Ybwen #1 by Greg Pak, Diego Galindo, Francesco Segala and Nate Piekos.
The Byers family is still reeling from the death of Bob Newby (portrayed by Sean Astin) back in the second season of Stranger Things. Bob’s sacrifice had saved the lives of Will and his mother Joyce, but it had also left them with a hole in their hearts that can’t be easily filled. At home, Will sees his mother push through the sadness that would otherwise have her wallowing helplessly. Will himself, on the other hand, is angry at the world for taking the friend and father figure who taught him how to fight back against the literal monsters that had been plaguing him for so long. As much as he tries to hide it, Will’s teacher and AV club sponsor Mister Clark knows that Bob has been on the boy’s mind. As luck would have it, he also has something that might lift Will’s spirits a bit in the form of the AV club’s founding documents, the ones handled by Bob in his youth.
Among the boxes of paperwork is a pile of riddles that Mister Clark had intended to give Will, but Will finds something far more interesting. From the looks of it, Will has uncovered a treasure map to what might just be an ancient Viking tomb. It’s a startling discovery that Will has to share with his friends immediately, especially since this will be the first promise of adventure they’ve had that didn’t come with lethal caveats.
In spite of Will’s excitement and the thrill of chasing treasure, Mike, Lucas and Dustin aren’t nearly as ready for this particular undertaking as their friend is. Not only is there a snowstorm right on top of the party, but as Dustin points out, Bob created the map years before any of them were even born. Science Camp shenanigans during the summer are one thing, but Dustin isn’t willing to step out into the freezing wilderness over a decades-old riddle mapped out by a teenager, and neither are the others. They all promise to make the journey after the storm has passed and offer to have a night of Dungeons & Dragons just like they used to if it will make up for Will’s disappointment.
With tears in his eyes, Will rides home to ask his mother if he can join his friends for the night, although it’s clear that isn’t on his agenda at all. Instead, Will packs his bags for the long, treacherous trek that lays before him. The worst moments of his life replay themselves in his mind as Will pedals down the road and towards the forest, all while he reminds himself of the powerful lessons which Bob imparted on him. In his own way, Will believes he is honoring Bob’s death, and he steps into the woods alone to begin his quest as the issue ends.
Will Byers has seen just as much if not more interdimensional horror as anyone else in Hawkins, including the superpowered Eleven herself — though that doesn’t mean he is prepared for what he has just gotten himself into. Surviving the Upside Down is one thing, but stepping out into a blizzard alone is arguably a more dangerous scenario, especially when there is no telling how properly prepared Will is for the journey. Then again, he has managed to survive this long due in no small part to his sheer will to do so. Now that he is fighting for someone else, there might not be anything that can stop Will from completing his quest. With any luck, it won’t be his last.
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