Descender
Little lost droid
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Publisher: Image Comics Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Robot stories
remain so popular and long- lasting simply because there’s so much you can say with them. The latest tale to tread in the footsteps of Asimov and many others is Descender, a new ongoing series from Image that’s also yet another example of the continuing renaissance of sci- fi comics.
The story is set in the far future, 10 years after mysterious giant robots called Harvesters wreaked havoc across galactic civilisation. A massive anti- robot cull followed, but now one of the last remaining robots has awoken on a distant mining colony. Tim- 21 is a lifelike robot boy who faces a struggle to survive in a hostile universe – but somehow, he also carries inside himself the secret to understanding the Harvesters…
Written by Sweet Tooth’s Jeff Lemire, Descender is already off to an impressive start in its first three issues, setting up a convincing SF world while also tapping into powerful emotional themes. The story has some clear influences ( especially Spielberg ’s 2001 movie AI), but there are plenty of fresh and original touches here, while Dustin Nguyen’s art gives the story a unique look. Executed in lush watercolour tones, Descender’s artwork is evocative and characterful, making this an emotive SF epic that so far looks strong enough to give fellow Image SF comic Saga a run for its money. Saxon Bullock Lemire’s next project will be as an artist: he’s drawing upcoming Image series AD: After Death for Batman writer Scott Snyder.