Redline #1
Redline #1
Writing: Neal Holman
Art: Clayton McCormack
Colors: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Oni Press
A mixed bag of a Mars-based first issue leaves readers feeling a little more lost in space than may be intended in Redline #1.
Holman introduces us to a rough-and-tumble group of American security forces on a near-future Mars at odds with some sort of woefully unexplained alien force. It’s an obvious parallel to real life American forces in the Middle East – aping the issues at hand with military occupation, corporate interests and the like in a kind of dry, biting but overly vulgar satire that’s both equal parts authentically witty and too obvious.
The characters introduced are well written, funny and verbose but there is not much to latch onto here beyond that, and no one character in particular, which is somewhat surprising given the issue’s obvious trend towards a character drama.
The art is solid but not revelatory, McCormack and Fitzpatrick bring Mars to life in a kind of bleak, desolate, sunburnt way. It’s not particularly alien feeling, again channeling real world war torn areas, but it is lively and detailed.
Ultimately, it is a first issue with promise. The dialogue flows well, if coarse, and the art is appropriately coarse in return. The feel is significantly less Sci-Fi than readers may be expecting but a second issue may lead the series in a much more solid, interesting direction.
Writing: Neal Holman
Art: Clayton McCormack
Colors: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Oni Press
A mixed bag of a Mars-based first issue leaves readers feeling a little more lost in space than may be intended in Redline #1.
Holman introduces us to a rough-and-tumble group of American security forces on a near-future Mars at odds with some sort of woefully unexplained alien force. It’s an obvious parallel to real life American forces in the Middle East – aping the issues at hand with military occupation, corporate interests and the like in a kind of dry, biting but overly vulgar satire that’s both equal parts authentically witty and too obvious.
The characters introduced are well written, funny and verbose but there is not much to latch onto here beyond that, and no one character in particular, which is somewhat surprising given the issue’s obvious trend towards a character drama.
The art is solid but not revelatory, McCormack and Fitzpatrick bring Mars to life in a kind of bleak, desolate, sunburnt way. It’s not particularly alien feeling, again channeling real world war torn areas, but it is lively and detailed.
Ultimately, it is a first issue with promise. The dialogue flows well, if coarse, and the art is appropriately coarse in return. The feel is significantly less Sci-Fi than readers may be expecting but a second issue may lead the series in a much more solid, interesting direction.
A Look Inside
