The Good
This is the first issue of a new ongoing series by David Hine and Doug Braithwaite about a team of intergalactic crime scene investigators. You could easily write this off as a CSI series in space, and if you did you'd be writing off a very intriguing series that should grab your attention from the word 'go.'
David Hine uses this issue to introduce the reader to the planet Amaranth and the types of people that call it home. He then introduces the investigative team and establishes their personalities rather quickly and efficiently with just a few scenes before they hit planetside. Hine's dialogue between the team and the local sheriff is strong and shows their differences which may or may not lead to further complications in future issues.
Doug Braithwaiteís artwork in this issue is amazing and really stands out on the page thanks to the strong color choices by Ulises Arreola. The character and environmental designs in this book are impressive and provides just a small window into what readers can expect from Braithwaiteís designs as the series moves forward. Comicrafts' Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt lettering blends especially well with the panels and provides the dialogue and narration and becomes part of the art and not just laying on top of the panel.
The Bad
Iíve got nothing to complain about this issue. Itís strong in every sense of the word.
The Verdict
When this book was first solicited it immediately went on my 'to watch' list because of the creative team. There is very little that I have seen from either Hine or Braithwaite that I have not enjoyed and having them work together is something I knew would be something to behold. The possibilities with this series are endless and Iím glad to have started at the beginning to see where it goes from here.
Chris is a long time fan of comics and a co-host on the Image Addiction podcast (www.imageaddiction.net) and the curator of the World of Aspen (www.worldofaspen.com). You can find him shouting about comics on Twitter at @ChrisPartin!