Image Comics 2015
Written by Michael Moreci
Art & Cover by Kyle Charles
Colours by Matt Battaglia
First let me say i’m really liking the interior artwork here it’s got this great attention to detail in each panel that draws the eye to what is important while fleshing out the complete scene. Never underestimate the importance of quality artwork to keep the readers attention on the page and in the story, if the artwork doesn’t excite a reader then chances are greater they will skim the story missing key things that make it as strong, powerful and interesting as it really is so Kyle and Matt should be applauded for the high quality of work they’ve done here.
Case in point Sasha’s watching the last video she received from home from her family shows us not only her pain but grit and determination as well. As we move on from to what this ragtag team is about embark upon. The mix of personalities on display here really help you Sasha’s questioning about if they can all actually work together and if they are going to survive what’s coming then they need to start acting like professionals and grown ups instead of spoiled individual brats. Michael’s writing and characterization is delightful to see here.
This first issue really grabs your attention and the mystery of how a seemingly abandoned planet can suddenly send a distress signal and then fire on them knocking them out of the sky sets the stage beautifully for what we’re going to experience. Right off the bat too Sasha sees something that makes her question her own sanity and existence after the crash and honestly it’s one of those moments when you go ooh what okay let’s explore this and then it’s gone till a time when it should naturally pop up in the story again.
With the crew unaware of what the cargo they are transporting is makes for another mystery that could again be fatal to the team’s survival or it’s salvation but this is an outer space action thriller so i’m going with the former. There’s something inherently creepy and almost Alien-esque about being stranded on a planet not knowing what’s out there and it’s stuff like this that enthralls readers because we love being scared and of the unknown no matter how much we’d like to think otherwise.
While one group if off exploring a supposedly abandoned city overrun with vegetation and a mysterious note the others find lush growing forest on a planet that reportedly isn’t capable of sustaining it. Then there’s the sun or whatever that glowing in the sky is, to me it seems like an eye watching over what’s happening but I can’t be sure and the last page well that sets up something else entirely and it makes you want to learn how all these different aspects that are occurring in the story intertwine with each other. That’s the sign of a good story that after you read the last page you are left intrigued as to what’s really going on a desire to find out.
This is why Image is home to some of most innovate stories today.