Oni Press 2013
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Ryan Kelly
Coloured by Dan Jackson
Lettered by Crank!
Charlotte Hayden, Cary Rowan, Jack Overholt, and John Willett have all been cherry-picked as crew members of the Clarke. Making the choice to leave the planet—probably forever—was a difficult one, and yet, they all agreed to go. For some, the choice is more difficult than for others. It all depends on what they’re leaving behind… or what they’re hoping to gain.
First of all Charles is a genius! I say that because last issue ended with a spectacular moment and you know 99.999% of us were thinking we’d pick up where that left off. Instead it’s a teaser and some much needed background information on a few folks who made the journey into space about the Clarke. I’ve been a fan of Charles writing for some time now and it seems that even when you think you are familiar with what he does he continues to just pull a new rabbit out of the hat and surprise you, keeping you on the edge and definitely coming back for more.
Second welcome to Ryan and thank you for the amazing work you did on this issue. Hopefully if ever there is a need he’ll be able to fill again because i’m really impressed with what he brought to the table here. The page layouts, panel usage and attention to detail in both backgrounds and character’s facial expressions were just a joy to see. I love his style and his creativity and it really fit in well within this series.
I have to say I really enjoyed seeing some of the process behind how they chose whom they wanted for this mission. Knowing going in it was a one way trip. I really loved seeing the different ways both Overholt and Lee went about it too. Sure they were told use whatever tactics are necessary no holding back but isn’t that kind of redundant? I mean we’re talking about the U.S. Government don’t they just do that regardless lol. What this has done though is make me want to see more of these characters before the launch and see how more of this kind of stuff, the beginnings and how they learned of it and just how they are qualified to make these decisions.
I’m totally digging the characterization we are getting here and even better is seeing how people were before the trip because we’ve seen them in the present aboard the Clarke acting much differently than this. The contrast and the way the characters evolved while somewhat of a mystery is fantastic and in some cases extreme. This is the kind of stuff that we need to get better looks and understanding of what characters mean if not to the mission than to us.
Sergeant Gomez yeah he’s pretty freakin awesome and the whole serving the country willing to sacrifice himself if need be but garnering the kind of admiration and respect from those he served with, well that’s the kind of stuff where legends are made. Dr. Pritchard on the other hand well let’s just say I wish Lee had better stuff to use on someone else to persuade them to join the mission. I mean I get it a new liver, or a healed one depending on your point of view if the latter than hello what are they holding onto that secret for? Oh yeah greed. That’s all it took for him to leave his wife and career behind he was that afraid of dying? Yeah slightly disappointed but I get it.
I love that this issue was strategically placed where it was and we still have the build-up for next issues massive shocker to happen. It’s that whole ebb and flow get em up bring em slightly down then rocket em back up and it’s used by Charles here masterfully.
If you haven’t been reading this shame on you it’s one of the most consistently well written, illustrated and entertaining books on stands today!