Image Comics 2015
Written by Jeff Lemire
Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen
The UGC has dispatched a science team that includes TIM-21’s creator, the brilliant Dr. QUON, to recover the robot. But a team of brutal robot-hunting SCRAPPERS arrived first and attacked, seemingly destroying TIM-21. TIM was saved by Telsa and Quon and they set course for the UGC. But en route another team of SCRAPPERS attacked and boarded their ship, and are now bringing them to the homeworld of the Robot Culls…The Planet Gnish.
Well one of the things Jeff does is he makes it hard to predict what’s going to happen next and this issue is a perfect example of that. The group has been taken by Scrappers and are currently en route to Gnish. In the hold Tim his dog bot Bandit and Driller are talking and it’s a wonderful look at how the bots see humans and Tim’s somewhat naivete about what’s really happening in this world he lives in. Also Driller is fast becoming a fan favorite character here he’s just a great character and it’s fantastic that he’s been made a part of this team.
On Gnish they have a meeting with his HIghness King S’Nok III and it’s Quon who is first to feel his wrath. If it weren’t for the father of robotics they wouldn’t be doing what they are nor would they be feared as the cullers. So what he decides to do is somewhat surprising and all kinds of creepy fantastic and what I hope will be a huge mistake. With Quon, Telsa and Tim being sent to his operating theatre while Tolly, Driller and the Bandit go to the arena.
I do like that we see something happening with the UGC and Telsa’s father. As the story progresses and the UGC knows that they’ve been taken to Gnish but thanks to subterfuge so do the Harvesters, well I am going to assume that from what I see here. Finally we are getting a better look at what’s happening around the universe with all the different players on the board.
In a surprising and decidedly wicked turn of events what happens in S’Nok’s operating theatre blows this story wide open and it’s reveal is far more than I could have imagined or hoped for. I’m impressed with how Jeff is telling this story and how the players roles seem to change and evolve when the truth comes to light.
With the unlikely trio in the arena we see some incredible new relationships form as they must rely on each other to save their lives. Driller may not care or trust the humes but he’s got one fighting back to back with him right now. The implications and ramifications here take me beyond the moon in delight. It’s like this ragtag group is going to become a real team that can actually count on one another as they are now forced to find out the truth behind the Harvesters and save the UGC and the universe as they know it. This went from a simple rescue mission to the formation of what could be a formidable team in the heart of enemy territory fighting their way out and finding the secret everyone wants answered except the Harvesters.
I’m thrilled to say that this issue’s interior artwork has much more colour in and Dustin has gone and upped his game here. Much less of the panels have that washed out feel to it where you can lose some of the details. That conversation I mentioned earlier between Tim and Driller has so much going on it’s really nice to see and the subtle use of colours there is great. This is a huge improvement for me as if he’s found a way to do more in the allotted time he’s to produce an issue of art and it’s definitely made this more interesting to read.
This is one of those books that seems to just get better and better with each issue enveloping you in this interesting and sometimes terrifying world.