Top Cow Productions/Image Comics 2017
Created by Bryan Lie
Written by Paul Jenkins
Illustrated by Hendry Prasetya
Coloured by Jessica Kholinne
Lettered by Jaka Ady
In the futuristic city of Delphi, a young digital-forensics investigator named Seneca finds himself embroiled in the bizarre murders of three church acolytes. Guided by his cryptic mentor, the Ruler named Hermes, Seneca uncovers a stunning conspiracy and a mystery that will turn his entire world upside down.
Alright so I have to say that this while I knew nothing about what it was going to be is something that shouldn’t have surprised me the way that it did. It has the premise behind it of a pure mystery story featuring Detective Seneca. It makes matters more complicated that the city of Delphi, once home to Greek Myth’s most popular Oracle Pythia who saved Apollo after his defeat of a Dragon, is home to Hermes who runs the city as a God and ruler, wondering where Apollo is well read the issue and find out. So Greek Mythology, the future and a Detective on a case being pulled into something much larger than he’s prepared for. Sounds like a damn good start to me.
To add to the mix just a little more the interiors here and the way the story flows makes me think this would be a damn good anime series. I am totally serious here too because if it could happen I’d watch the hell out of this series so someone at Netflix get on that and make this series turn into an anime series which follows the story here, and it needs to follow the story.
So I mentioned the interiors already so let’s delve into them a little more. I am a huge fan of Hendry’s ever since I saw his work on MMPR. His attention to detail is utterly sublime and his eye for storytelling, through the use of page layouts, angles, perspective and the utilisation of those backgrounds is beyond impressive. It feels like it’s hand drawn and computer generated at the same time and whether that’s backgrounds imposed upon the artwork I don’t know but regardless this is tight, clean and extremely impressive work that he brings to the table. I am serious when I tell you that I’m honestly and truly awed by what he’s capable of.
I like Seneca he’s damaged goods as it were. So the way that Paul is able to flesh him out through situations, dialogue, inner/banter and narration, so we get this pretty complete picture of who he is keeps him relatable to. His background is touched upon as is his current life and presumably his future. I say this because of everything we see here and the interest that Hermes takes in him all suggest that there is more to this young man than meets the eye. Therefore it feels like he’s meant for greater things to come and he’s completely unaware of any of this. That makes for and interesting dynamic when he’s shown things by Hermes that is privileged to only a very few.
While we all know that Paul is an impressive writer and his body of work is varied this for me might just become his standout work. From the all around tone, mood and feel he brings to the story, which Hendry brings to life exceptionally, draws the reader in beautifully. We see Seneca in his element at a murder scene with his partner trying to figure out what has happened. While it may not feel like it looks can be deceiving because that starts the story off and it moves at phenomenal pace. It feels like the story itself, the development, while not mired down in action is more cerebral and a lot of information is thrown at the reader. Nothing that we cannot handle mind you but it’s almost like misdirection.
The story weaves it’s way in and out of Seneca’s life both professional and personal. His life experiences to date have made him more of a cynical man untrusting of The One God as well as the pantheon of those alive now who rules the cities. Yet the Gods have taken an interest in him so the character development that’s in store could have a myriad of directions to go. Too many right now to think of but it’s something that we inherently want to see unfold.
Engaging, mesmerising with exceptional interior artwork welcome to a new world modelled after an ancient culture using the most technology available. This will exceed any and all expectations while becoming this years hottest release.