A rip-roaring and heart-felt cosmic odyssey that pits humanity against machine, and world against world, to create a sprawling space opera from the creators of Trillium, Sweet Tooth, and Little Gotham.

This comic book embarks on a science fiction journey with a visually captivating universe. However, despite its promising concept and stunning artwork but at the same time this comic book struggles with lack of depth in storytelling and character engagement.

Jeff Lemire, known for his ability to create rich, emotional narratives, introduces readers to a future where humanity is grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic event. Giant robots, known as Harvesters, have decimated worlds, and the story follows TIM-21, a companion android who may hold the key to understanding these mysterious machines. While the premise is intriguing, the execution falls flat, with the narrative struggling to establish a strong connection with me personally in this comic book. 

The pacing of this comic book is one of the primary issues this comic book faces in my opinion. The story rushes through key plot points, leaving little room for character development or emotional resonance. TIM-21, who serves as the central character, lacks the depth necessary to make him relatable or compelling. The absence of a strong emotional core makes it difficult for me personally to invest in his journey or the broader implications of the plot.

The world-building aspect of this comic book, though conceptually interesting, is not fully realized in this debut issue. The setting feels underdeveloped, with scant details provided about the universe’s history or the societal impact of the Harvesters. This lack of context has left me personally with more questions than answers, hindering immersion and understanding.

The artwork itself in this comic book is a standout feature of this comic book. The illustrations that we get in this comic book bring a unique and ethereal quality to the comic, capturing the vastness and mystery of space. The character designs we get in this comic book are expressive, and his ability to convey emotion through subtle visual cues adds a layer of depth that the narrative lacks.

Despite the artistic strengths, this comic book’s of narrative cohesion and character focus undermines its overall impact. The story feels more like a prologue than a fully developed introduction, which has left me personally without a compelling reason to continue the series. The potential for exploring themes of identity, humanity, and survival is present but remains untapped in this initial installment.

I Give This Book 1 / 5