Science Fiction is a broad catch-all in terms of a genre. Some science fiction is so hard and realistic that people tend to not even think of it as science fiction.  For instance, although he a character that is based on ridiculously powerful technological devices, how often do people classify Batman as science fiction.  On the opposite side of the spectrum comes science fiction which is a bit more fantastic and less rooted in reality. As one progresses through this spectrum there becomes very little difference between fantasy and science fiction.  Though based in a supposed future, how do the worlds of Anne McCaffrey differ much from pure fantasy? Only by the substitution of laser guns for swords is the difference seen by some fantasy and some science fiction.

What is interesting about this descent into science fiction and fantasy is that at some point through the process that there becomes somewhat of a fertile ground for something a little more.  It could be called religion, but it is more so that these worlds create their own mythologies. In the worlds of Star Wars or Dune, there exists the ability not only to impress with the fantastic but to ask philosophical questions. For those that debate Star Wars against Star Trek, it mostly comes down to this. Both are equally absurd in terms of real life science, but it becomes more about whether someone likes some moral and ethical dilemmas with their space operas.  While this is not true in absolutes, as for instance Harlan Ellison’s Star Trek episode entitled City at the Edge of Tomorrow became one of the most beloved science fiction stories of all time, it is still generally true that the richer the worlds, the more engaging that they are and the more that people are drawn to them.

Sevara would seem to be ambitious enough to try for this type of a world. In recent years in comics, some science fiction has reached to the past to draw upon material for future worlds, whether it be from fairy tales or even from the Bible. This is a kind of bargain mythology, instead of trying to invent its own, it relies on the material from generations past. The writer for Sevara, Damian Wampler, seems to understand this shortcut and the reason to avoid it. In the postscript to this first issue (actually it is issue #0) he explains some of the basic concepts behind his own inspiration for this series, but to his credit, he does not delve into the easy way out.  Instead he creates his own mythology, rooted in some basic religious concepts but distinctly different.  At this point it is too early to know exactly what he has in mind for his characters, but Sevara is essentially an angel, if not by actual divine appointment, then at least by action, thought and appearance.

This issue thus provides a promising start. As is mentioned in the preamble to this issue, the small company printing this comic is putting its main effort behind this series, making it the flagship upon which they are pinning their hopes. In terms of what can make really good science-fiction, it would seem as though the pieces are all here, with it being setup well thus far.  The question becomes where it will go from here, but with the right pieces in place, it would seem as though the creators had at least put their money on the right bet.

Story: Damian Wimpler Art: Andre Siregar
Story: 8.3 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

Broken Icon Comics provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review.