Descender #4
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Letterer: Steve Wands
The adventures of Tim-21 continue in what could easily be called a “connecting” issue. Much of this issue involves reacting to what has happened the previous three issues, while beginning to set up the the next big arc at The Melting Pits (seriously, how simplistically cool does that sound?). Despite it being caught in the middle this issue doesn't feel like it's lacking anything. Instead it works not only as a connecting issue, but also as a action filled moment in the adventure. More importantly, the issue move as at quick clip bouncing between conversation to action faster than I would have guessed. On top of all of this, we're starting to get a little bit more insight into all of these characters and their lives. One of the most interesting characters to me is Driller aka DRILLER KILLER. Underneath a deceptively simple character there's a lot of complexity that I think we'll slowly be shown as the story continues. What has happened to Driller in the past that makes him hate humans so much? Why would a simple drill-bot be given so much sentience in the first place? These are questions that I hope will be answered.
Another theme we see played with her is the idea of truth. Telsa willingly lies to Tim knowing that it could ultimately suit her needs. We've seen the “human” characters portrayed as deceptive and flawed regardless if they're trying to do good or evil. Opposite of that we've been introduced to a few robot characters who generally don't see the need to lie. Tim and Driller are very upfront about how they feel during certain situations, this doesn't seem to be due to programming, rather, they just don't see the need to lie. They lay their intentions out despite the possible consequences. This could be since they were isolated on the mining colony for so long. They are still naïve to what has happened in the past. Are all robots like this? Will other robot survivors be as open knowing the atrocities that have occurred? Descender is brilliant in hiding pockets of information and questions in brief encounters and dialogue.
Meanwhile, Dustin Nguyen is producing some of the best work ever. Descender was already unique in the fact that it features hand watercolored pages, but, on top of that, these pages blow many current comics out of the water. Scenes on the ship are fantastic examples of minimalism and use of negative space. Nguyen's line work is delicate and soft but the colors are vibrant making the pages pop. This technique is similar to Tim-21's own disposition. It creates a symbiotic effect between the writing and art that elevates this book above others.
Everything in this book flows incredibly well, including Steve Wands fun lettering. Surely, crafting dialogue balloons for aliens that feature tentacles popping out of the bubbles is a complete pain, but in doing so, Wands ads a uniqueness to his work that separates it from others. Not only does help to elevate his own work, but to also better tie into Nguyen's art.
Descender continues to prove it's one of the best books on the shelf. Writing, art, and lettering coalesce into something fun, dynamic, and alive. This is a comic not to be missed.
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Letterer: Steve Wands
The adventures of Tim-21 continue in what could easily be called a “connecting” issue. Much of this issue involves reacting to what has happened the previous three issues, while beginning to set up the the next big arc at The Melting Pits (seriously, how simplistically cool does that sound?). Despite it being caught in the middle this issue doesn't feel like it's lacking anything. Instead it works not only as a connecting issue, but also as a action filled moment in the adventure. More importantly, the issue move as at quick clip bouncing between conversation to action faster than I would have guessed. On top of all of this, we're starting to get a little bit more insight into all of these characters and their lives. One of the most interesting characters to me is Driller aka DRILLER KILLER. Underneath a deceptively simple character there's a lot of complexity that I think we'll slowly be shown as the story continues. What has happened to Driller in the past that makes him hate humans so much? Why would a simple drill-bot be given so much sentience in the first place? These are questions that I hope will be answered.
Another theme we see played with her is the idea of truth. Telsa willingly lies to Tim knowing that it could ultimately suit her needs. We've seen the “human” characters portrayed as deceptive and flawed regardless if they're trying to do good or evil. Opposite of that we've been introduced to a few robot characters who generally don't see the need to lie. Tim and Driller are very upfront about how they feel during certain situations, this doesn't seem to be due to programming, rather, they just don't see the need to lie. They lay their intentions out despite the possible consequences. This could be since they were isolated on the mining colony for so long. They are still naïve to what has happened in the past. Are all robots like this? Will other robot survivors be as open knowing the atrocities that have occurred? Descender is brilliant in hiding pockets of information and questions in brief encounters and dialogue.
Meanwhile, Dustin Nguyen is producing some of the best work ever. Descender was already unique in the fact that it features hand watercolored pages, but, on top of that, these pages blow many current comics out of the water. Scenes on the ship are fantastic examples of minimalism and use of negative space. Nguyen's line work is delicate and soft but the colors are vibrant making the pages pop. This technique is similar to Tim-21's own disposition. It creates a symbiotic effect between the writing and art that elevates this book above others.
Everything in this book flows incredibly well, including Steve Wands fun lettering. Surely, crafting dialogue balloons for aliens that feature tentacles popping out of the bubbles is a complete pain, but in doing so, Wands ads a uniqueness to his work that separates it from others. Not only does help to elevate his own work, but to also better tie into Nguyen's art.
Descender continues to prove it's one of the best books on the shelf. Writing, art, and lettering coalesce into something fun, dynamic, and alive. This is a comic not to be missed.
A Look Inside
