Titan Comics 2016
Written by Serge Lehman
Penciled by Stephane Crety
Inked by Julien Hugonnard-Bert
Coloured by Gaetan Georges
Lettered by Cat Connery
Translated by Edward Gauvin
Frank Braffort has returned from war suffering from PTSD, but he is thrown headfirst into a terrifying new reality where phenomena, called Anomalies, appear out of nowhere. Facing this mysterious and lethal enemy, Braffort is called on to go into battle once again for the safety of the city!
This is a prime example of why I think everyone should be reading the books Titan puts on stands. This is a translated version of a comic that debuted last year from the setting i’m gonna say in France. Personally I love that we’re seeing more comics from around the world and being introduced to new writers and artists like this and Titan really has gone above and beyond bringing these to American audiences.
Also the first thing I noticed was Stephane’s interior artwork. The attention to detail is phenomenal here and the use of page layouts using angles, perspective and the backgrounds really draws you in. There really is some breathtaking work going on here with him and Gaetan. I love the whole scope, tone and feel of this book and how it really kind of gets under your skin and takes you to places you’ve never been. Plus the way that Paris is depicted here as this new more futuristic and modern style city is rather impressive.
As for the writing here i’m extremely impressed with not only the characterisation, which is incredibly well done, but with the way the introduction of this story goes. From the opening where we see Frank and his squad on patrol which is being talked about as if it were a report on Frank gives both insight into what may be happening as well as letting us see the events that lead up to the present. His current situation outside the military and ending up living with his sister.
We get glimpses, bits and pieces of what this new world is like. From sentient robotics and beings of immense power that are emerging to the factions running for office in Paris wanting to be the Prefect, I think that’s like the President, of the city. So we given a few different looks and angles of this world that will be explored more in the coming issues. What Serge does with the writing is create a viable future that isn’t so far off. It’s within in the realm of what is possible with current technology, okay so superhuman types that’s not as possible but hey it’s science fiction.
One aspect of this that i’m enjoying is that we are getting to see the city and how things have changed alongside Frank. He’s been in military service while the changes have taken place so we’re seeing things through his eyes as well as our own so the wonder and awe is quite palpable.
With strong writing and stunning interiors this is a welcome addition to modern science fiction storytelling about a world that could very well be our own.