World Reader #1

• Writer: Jeff Loveness, Artist: Juan Doe
• Letterer: Rachel Deering
• Published by: Boom! Entertainment
• Publish Date: April 19, 2017
• Notes: The first issue in a monthly series.

Synopsis:

“Meet Sarah, an astronaut traveling from dead planet to dead planet, talking to the ghosts of dead worlds… as she fights to discover the secret that’s killing the universe. But Death doesn’t give up its secrets so easily, and as she’s hunted from planet to planet, Sarah struggles to maintain the trust of her crew and her own sanity in the endless ocean of lives. Every world has a story, and if she can find the secret tying them all together, she can save Earth from being the next world to die.”

Personal Thoughts (big spoilers):

I enjoy stories of discovery and space travel. So, after gazing the first few pages of this at the local comic store, I had to pick the new series up.

In doing so, the World Reader is something a bit more. There’s a bit of the paranormal, seeking new life and new civilizations, 2001 and other titillating aspects of space travel. I think in that, is the belief in the push of discovery and the extent of the unknown are both exciting, yet terrifying. The bigger the wider, the more that can look back at us. Sarah is interesting as an astronaut, finding out the past grandeur in old civilizations, then developing a bond. And, there is a connection tying her discoveries, which is not yet clear but drives interest further.

The art really works here, with the composition of each page, suitable for framing. The color changes, tones, and balance give some extra drama and depth. I like the lettering too,, as the font and style lend well to the book. With the strange visions and mystery to the mix, and the audience can be impressed upon for many issues to come.

The turn towards the end gives new danger and trippiness, and a fresh terror that feels complex and multi-dimensional. The sudden change in color and collapse of dimension gives off an easiness that gives the ending an uncomfortable cliffhanger. It’s hard to foresee what’s ahead in a book like this, which drives my initial curiosity more.

Overall, a great first issue for thrill seekers in science fiction wanting more than the overreaching macho melodrama of galactic warfare and politics. Check it out.