Collider #1

It started small: temporary gravity failures, time reversal loops, entropy reversals. With much fanfare a new government agency was formed with a mandate “to prevent and protect.” Its official title: The Federal Bureau of Physics. Humans, if nothing else, adapt to the changing parameters of their existence. What was extraordinary soon became ordinary, a part of people’s daily lives. They move on and do what people have always done: survive. But even that new status quo is now under threat. Things are getting worse, and it falls to Special Agent Adam Hardy and his FBP team to figure out what’s going on, before it’s too late…

Vertigo has been having a bit of a renaissance lately, pumping out some amazing indie comics from some top talent.  Collider is one of their latest releases whose concept is unique and when I first heard about it, I though it just sounded so cool.

The first issue is pretty damn impressive with the concept meeting my high expectations. The story was entertaining with flawed characters that made them very relatable. The fact they’re slightly screw-ups is what makes it pretty fun comic and also keeps you on your toes as to what might happen.

On top of the cool story by Simon Oliver is Robbi Rodriguez‘s art which just feels like something you’d find in a Vertigo comic. It has a vibe similar to that of super-star artist Rafael Albuquerque. Nice work overall. I dug it.

The world itself opens itself up to so many possibilities as to what’s to come. The series has a lot of potential with a pretty unique concept and a set-up that’s entertaining.

Story: Simon Oliver Art: Robbi Rodriguez
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Trillium #1

It’s the year 3797, and botanist Nika Temsmith is researching a strange species on a remote science station near the outermost rim of colonized space. It’s the year 1921, and renowned English explorer William Pike leads an expedition into the dense jungles of Peru in search of the fabled “Lost Temple of the Incas,” an elusive sanctuary said to have strange healing properties. Two disparate souls separated by thousands of years and hundreds of millions of miles. Yet they will fall in love and, as a result, bring about the end of the universe. Even though reality is unraveling all around them, nothing can pull them apart. This isn’t just a love story; It’s the LAST love story ever told.

This 8-issue series comes from the brilliant mind of Jeff Lemire who does double duty as the writer and artist. The first issue blew me away, living up to the deserved hype and praise. The first issue is a 28-pages of story in a flip-book with two covers and two separate but connected stories. Those two stories come together in the middle of the book in an interesting way to really changes your perspective on things.

This is an ambitious series that could be an instant classic when it’s through. Yes, it’s that damn good. And that’s going to be the hardest part of the whole series, living up to this first issue. What Lemire has in store for us? I have no idea. But if it’s anywhere near this first issue in quality, we’re in for a treat.

This is what Vertigo is all about, quality comics, with brilliant concepts from talented creators. Jeff Lemire has a hell of a track record, and this series continues his streak of amazing works of art.

Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Jeff Lemire
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy