Lion Forge/Magnetic Press 2018
Written by Lewis Tronheim and Zep
Illustrated by Dominique Bertail
Design Direction by Olivier Vatine
Translated by Jeremy Melloul
The city-sized, deep-space cruise ship "Infinity 8" stops halfway en route between the Milky Way and Andromeda, blocked by a massive field of debris containing wreckage and artifacts from countless planets, cultures, and possibly dimensions. The captain of the ship calls upon eight of the ship's top security to investigate the anomaly, each one sent out in a parallel time-loop to collect information which can then be assembled to hopefully discover the truth before disaster erupts. But danger reveals itself within the interspecies population on the ship, some of whom may know more than they lead on . . .
Alright already I like the premise here as this huge ship travels through space, where humans are the minority, as they head towards the Andromeda Galaxy when something comes up that needs exploring. Its a simple act to send an Agent into space check out what is before them to see if it poses a threat or can be safely manoeuvred around. The way that this is being structured is extremely well done. The ebb & flow of the story how we meet these characters as well as how the information is revealed not only feels familiar but also unique and that dichotomy well it shouldn’t exist but it works here in ways that are exceptional.
Let’s address that last statement for a moment. If you ever read an underground comix or enjoyed Heavy Metal for their cartoons then you’ll understand what I mean. If you’ve ever watched a show centred in outer space and loved seeing the alien creatures featured you’ll understand. However the originality comes from the fact that this ship and how we see it transporting folks over long distance is unique to this story.
Also since this was previously released in France (2016) the characterisation is outrageously good and done in ways you won’t see American writers approach things. Some might call it crass but me I find it humorously entertaining. Agent Keren is a breath of fresh air to me as she’s incredibly capable of being an officer has wonderful hand-to-hand combat skills and to top it all off she multitasks like no other! That she talks the way she does, without regard to others feelings, wants what she wants and can fight all pretty much at the same time is stellar stuff.
The interiors here are pretty spectacular too as the way page layouts are utilised and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. The creativity and imagination in the alien species that we see is so well conceived and executed. The linework is so well done and I love how subtlety is used in it. That we also get backgrounds when it’s called for expands the ship and the reality these folks live in. the attention to detail is where it needs to be and out in space in this shrine to the dead that we see it’s magnificent, which somehow is still an understatement. The difference in what we see in space compared the ship is like night and day and until you experience it you can’t appreciate what I’m saying.
There is a reason I keep telling everyone that they need to read more imported books from European creators. This is a great example of that because it’s bold, daring and extremely well done. The writing, story and plot development along with the characterisation make for some great reading. The interiors complete the picture giving us some great mood and feelings in regards to what the characters see and go through.
This is going to be one hell of a great ride folks so get on board now!