Leviathan Freedom is a sci-fi reimagining of the legacy of Robert Smalls, a man born into slavery who seized his own freedom by commandeering a Confederate warship, sailing himself, his family, and others to liberation. In Leviathan Freedom, the galaxy is divided by civil war. And the profound human cost of conflict is felt not in the war rooms but by the Doldrums, the laborer caste essential for the war machine–until one man decides to stand against it. Leviathan Freedom #1 is a pretty solid start setting up the revolution to come.

When it comes to genres, I’m much more of a sci-fi person than fantasy. And, when it comes to sci-fi, large space battles and revolutions are something I find intriguing. The story of a small group rising up against their overlords is something I can get behind as they tend to bring big sweeping emotions and lots of action. Leviathan Freedom #1 begins to deliver that as we’re introduced to the world and the characters within.

Written by Tom Morello and Marc Guggenheim, the story is a reimagining of real history with the main character Smalls part of a sub-class that’s a clear analogy for the slaves of the Confederacy. They outnumber their masters, ruled over by a group that knows they’re outnumbered and if there was ever a revolution, they’d be overwhelmed. All that ruling class really has to their advantage are weapons that might help even the odds.

Leviathan Freedom #1 keeps things focused taking us on a tour of the ship that Smalls calls home and painting a broad picture of the situation. It doesn’t go into small details, just keeps things broad that makes it easy to understand the revolution to come. It also introduces a reluctant leader in Smalls, a man trusted by the ship’s Captain because it’s perceived those around him will listen. the broader war itself isn’t really dived into, just that there’s a war and giant ships float around to battle it out.

The art by Szymon Kudrański is solid with lettering by DC Hopkins. The art delivers large, sweeping visuals, that help make it clear the size of the ship everyone is on and the key sequence of that ship entering an atmosphere is inspiring and looks great. While the issue does feature that, it’s mainly tight and focused on the characters as we see the struggle they all have, either in their role in life or the nervousness of being outnumbered. There’s a slight tense feeling to it all that helps emphasize this is a pressure cooker of a situation and it’s going to explode soon.

Leviathan Freedom #1 is a solid start to the series that introduces the key characters and the world but doesn’t dwell on small details readers don’t need to know and would distract. It keeps things focused on what’s important and drives the story but at the same time gives us enough sweeping situations that make it all feel rather epic.

Story: Tom Morello, Marc Guggenheim Art: Szymon Kudrański Letterer: DC Hopkins
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy

comiXology Originals provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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