IDW Publishing 2016
Created by William Gibson & Michael St. John
Written by William Gibson
Illustrated by Butch Guice & Tom Palmer
Coloured by Diego Rodriguez
Lettered by Shawn Lee
The U.S. Political leaders of 2016 abandoned the radioactive planet they’ve destroyed and harness the power of humanity’s last hope: The Splitter, a colossal machine designed to manufacture a bright new reality for them to infiltrate and corrupt.
It’s nice to see Science Fiction make a resurgence in such a smart and interesting way. With the Pilot, who was apprehended last issue, in his cell we open up this issue. His mission to to stop the incursion that’s underway. Now this is WWII time they’ve gone back to, a time in history that was felt could be infiltrated and then controlled considering future knowledge they posses. Torres back on the other side has technology that we think of as advanced and in this era would seem downright impossible.
Just the way everything here is presented has been in done in a great intelligent way. There’s mystery and intrigue and the use of locals who are encountering stuff they’ve no explanation for is well done. Then there’s Major Henderson and his men. What he’s done to himself and why he’s here is among the best catalysts for a story that I’ve seen. The fact that he’s we’ll call it determined in his cause to go to the lengths he has and the way he carries himself throughout the story is excellent characterization.
I am a huge fan of Butch’s work. This issue demonstrates exactly why, his people are so well done, his attention to detail in their faces and clothing make them real everyday folks. The way the story flows through the pages and panels through angles and perspective not to mention how he’s able to use backgrounds to give you the larger picture of where they are and make you feel the right tone and mood for what’s happening is incredible to see. This is the kind of work that comes with a great mind, imagination and skill and it really envelops you and takes into this era.
With the characters in place and the drama unfolding the way that William is pacing this story is extremely well done. So much happens here that while the characters may not understand those who came here see and understand more of what’s happening that you realize. So will the Major waste time in hunting the Pilot or will he enact his plans and as a side project keep the Pilot at bay with misinformation and trap him? The latter would be my choice but I don’t think the Major’s as smart as he thinks he is.
I’m thoroughly enjoying the way this story has been set up and is continuing to unfold. It’s got this unique feel to it that sets it apart from most anything else out there. From its base through the many layers that are unfolding it is a fun, intelligent and gripping look at man’s attempt to fix his problems and his need to control forces he never should mess with. This is good science fiction, reality based in fantasy with flawed characters who make it interesting.