A decade ago, 300,000 citizens of Philadelphia were suddenly lost in Oblivion. The government made every attempt to recover them, but after many years, they gave up. Nathan Cole…won’t. He makes daily trips, risking his life to try and rescue those still living in the apocalyptic hellscape of Oblivion. But maybe…Nathan is looking for something else? Why can’t he resist the siren call of the Oblivion Song?

This comic book introduces us as readers to a world where a catastrophic event has blurred the lines between dimensions. While the narrative holds intriguing potential, the execution in this comic book is struggling a lot with its pacing and character development.

Robert Kirkman, known for his work on “The Walking Dead,” sets up an ambitious premise. Ten years ago, 300,000 people in Philadelphia vanished into an alternate dimension known as Oblivion. The story follows Nathan Cole, a determined protagonist dedicated to rescuing those left behind. Kirkman’s concept is original and compelling, blending science fiction with elements of mystery and adventure. However, the comic book falters in my opinion in its delivery, with a narrative that feels rushed and lacking in depth.

The pacing is one of the primary challenges of this comic book. The story rapidly introduces us as readers to this complex world without providing enough context or background. While the action sequences are dynamic, they often overshadow crucial aspects of world-building and character exploration. As a result, I personally found it difficult to fully grasp the intricacies of the plot or the stakes involved.

Nathan Cole, the central character, is portrayed with a singular focus on his mission, yet his motivations and backstory remain underdeveloped. This lack of depth makes it challenging to connect with him on an emotional level. While his dedication is clear, understanding what drives him beyond the surface level is crucial for my personality investment in this comic book, and this comic book falls short in that regard.

The artwork itself in this comic book is a standout feature of this comic book. The illustrations that we get in this comic book vividly capture the eerie and otherworldly nature of Oblivion. The landscapes are imaginative and visually striking, effectively conveying the sense of danger and mystery that defines this alternate dimension. The character designs we get in this comic book are expressive, adding a layer of intensity to the action scenes.

Despite its shortcomings, this comic book lays the groundwork for potentially rich storytelling. The concept of alternate dimensions and the exploration of loss and perseverance offer numerous avenues for narrative depth. With more focused character development and clearer pacing, future comic books in this series could delve deeper into the emotional and thematic elements hinted at in this debut.

I Give This Book 2 / 5