
Image Comics 2018
By Edward Laroche
Colours by Brad Simpson
Lettered by Jaymes Reed
An enormous machine slowly materializes in a major West Coast city. Who sent it—and why—is a mystery, understood only by the malevolent beings gliding silently toward Earth through the inky vastness of space. In response, a multinational combat brigade called Gladiator Two-Six is deployed. Outfitted with next-generation military science and weapons, they're tasked with stopping any extraterrestrial threat that emerges.
Okay while I enjoyed this very much I wish it had been the sections had been told in the opposite direction. It would have a little easier to follow and made a little more sense to me but what do I know I am just writing about what I see. The opening itself is sensational I loved the whole idea of it and it makes the reader think, use their brains and that kind of storytelling always makes me happy. Still the way it’s presented and how exactly it comes across is really something to see.
I like the way each segment is structured. Each one has a nice flow to it, separated by a page with a logo style insignia on a black background. The first is pretty long and it’s gives us a decent look at the soldier’s who are being checked on board their transport plane. It is rather good too because it’s all about glimpses, we only get bits and pieces of information from them. It’s enough for us to be intrigued and have that itch you can’t scratch quality to it. Each one leaves you wanting more and how they all fit together.
As we read the further back in time it goes, granted the first is three months earlier so it isn’t that far back. This introduces us to Dr. Freya Lin who it seems has has a few problems of her own. She’s smoking and snorting up a white substance we’ll assume for now its cocaine, and this is a great first impression. It looks like her company has crumbled but there may be one last hope and one that has a great many angles to be explored. The idea of what we see here is intriguing and kind of scary considering that I feel it may be all that much more true that stuff like this actually happens.
I have to say I really like the interiors here there is a lot of impressive attention to detail within these pages. The linework is manipulated so that the work can appear delicate or bold depending what it needs to be. The colours too are sensational I love seeing the screen on the phone and how that comes across to us. The rain at night with the work we see here is absolutely some of the most stunning stuff. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a great eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised help to expand the story, show us a size and scope it to the story as well.
I liked this for a myriad of reasons and among them is the soldiers that we see. Now I’m not sure if they have advancements or not but they bear watching in ways that you find intriguing. Then there’s the whole deal with Dr. Lin and what is going to develop there as well as the section I haven’t mentioned yet. This book has so much going for it and it’s interesting, well told by leaving the reader wondering and wanting more. The characterisation here is pretty limited and that works in their advantage as I want to get to know these people now.
Smart, interesting and full of great characters whom we want to know better this is a great start to a brand new series.