Archaia/Boom Studios 2015
Created by Trevor Crafts, Matthew Daley & Bruce Boxleitner
Written by Paul Jenkins & Matthew Daley
Illustrated by Carlos Magno
Coloured by Chris Blythe
Initially I was intrigued by Bruce Boxleitner’s hand in helping create this then upon learning about Carlos’ contributions as illustrator I was immediately more than happy to read this. His work is something I’ve always enjoyed and I am thrilled to see he’s working on something new. His attention to detail and the quality of his linework is just gorgeous stuff. His work on Boom’s Planet of the Apes for instance is among some of my most favorite stuff. So seeing his work on this new book bringing the words to life is a real joy and the words themselves well they are indeed formed of a very interesting concept.
A walled in city whose inhabitants are separated by a caste system creating this kind of new civilization from the disaster of an older one. One that has far too many rules and is governed in very much a militaristic way, if the populace fears the rulers enough order will remain established. Though this will inevitably lead to a revolution among the lower castes. We see here in this first issue just how the lower caste is affected by this kind of rule and Paul and Matthew are doing such a remarkable job in introducing us to it.
Sander is of the lowest working caste and his treatment this issue and how we see him remembering things growing up speak volumes of the society they live in. I’m not sure this what you’d really call steampunk, but then i’m not familiar with all aspects of the genre but it does nice elements of this futuristic old fashioned technology available only to the few while the masses remain without but look like they belong to a victorian era.
With everything that happens this issue with Sander and his family both close and extended a great cast of characters has been introduced. While i’m waiting to meet more people from different castes and seeing things from different perspectives what we do get to see is more than enough to get any reader excited about the potential this series has. Aside from the basic struggle to survive as an oppressed caste in a world inequalities where they insulated from the rest of the world full of pulleys and levers enveloped in some beautiful if not deadly scenery this book has the makings for a modern day classic.
With the way this issue ended I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next. This could be the way we get to see life in Lantern City from another point of view in the most unexpected of ways. All that remains is if we’ll see if Sander can find/meet people who are sympathetic to the lower castes cause and improving the way of life for everyone. A lot of incredibly interesting things happen here that really do a lot to flesh this city and inhabitants out and draw you into their lives in ways you wouldn’t expect.
It’s fresh new and exciting and seems to have unlimited potential. With strong writing and incredible interior artwork this is a book everyone should be looking out for.