Utopia is here. Hunger, sickness, work… all relics of a long forgotten past. For the greater good of the human species, all individuality, creativity, and negative emotions have been genetically bred out and medically suppressed. The population is limited to segregated areas where people lead long lives of leisure, games, and socializing. Only one man and one woman seem to notice, care, or think differently. Once they find each other, their relationship sparks a revolution… but will their love cause the salvation or destruction of mankind?

I like a good utopia/dystopia story, and writer Matt Hawkins and artist Raffaele Ienco present the latest with Symmetry #1, a new series from Top Cow Productions. The series kicks off with some excitement, and the first issue plays out like an unraveling mystery as we piece together what’s happened in this interesting world.

Things have really been thought out as far as how this world works, and that’s exactly what I’d expect from Matt Hawkins who does a hell of a lot of research in every comic he writes. Not only do you get the comic, but in the back, as he’s prone to do now, he explores some of the finer details and inspiration for the story for you to go check out when you’re done. It’s that combination of research and entertainment that creates a very fulfilling first issue that’s a great start and setup.

Hawkins is helped with Ienco whose art is very clean and a slight hint at the futuristic world. That’s great in that we’re not completely distracted by weird technology, and that down to Earth futurism helps make the first issue much more plausible and easier to relate too. It’s a very smart decision, and some of those decisions become more apparent as the issue goes on.

Symmetry is a very interesting concept that looks to tackle some solid subjects and ideas. The first issue is a great start but this is one that might be better read as a trade. Still, reading the first issue, I want to see where Hawkins goes with this all and what issues he plans on tackling as the series progresses.

Story: Matt Hawkins Art: Raffaele Ienco
Story: 7.65 Art: 7.6 Overall: 7.65 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review