Writer: Warren Ellis
Artists: Chris Sprouse (p), Karl Story (i)
Publisher: DC/Wildstorm
Plot:
A horrifying discovery in the deep seas of Europa, the ice-covered moon of Jupiter, sends Nathan Kane, a weapons inspector from Earth to investigate. His trip takes him from New York to the Earth’s moon and then into the orbit of the gas giant, Jupiter. Along the way, Ellis and Sprouse illustrate their vision of the future and the beauty and dangers that it holds.
Comments:
The moon of Europa is considered by many to be the most likely body to possess and sustain life in this solar system outside of our own planet. Under its icy crust, it is speculated that vast bodies of water exist in which there is potential for marine life. Ellis shows us a future where space travel is commonplace and the exploration of these oceans has begun.
This issue mostly sets the stage for the series and introduces the reader to this futuristic environment. In other words, not a lot happens. Ellis takes a very cinematic approach to this story. Several pages present beautiful shots of the modern New York City, our solar system and Europa’s oceans accompanied by very little dialogue. Still, a lot needs to be established about this particular sci-fi future that Ellis has crafted, and the reader is brought up to speed quickly.
Chris Sprouse’s artwork in this issue is beautiful. His futuristic NYC is intricately detailed, and his ship designs are innovative and believable. The Tom Strong artist is really showing us his capabilities. What’s really striking though are the starscapes and images of Jupiter and Europa – thanks, in large part, to the coloring.
Ellis throws out a lot of ideas here. This issue definitely has the feel of his Ministry of Space while the protagonist and the discovery on Europa itself would feel at home in the pages of Planetary. This is vintage Ellis. Although it starts a little slowly, it’s got great concepts and a very cool premise, so I had no problem with an issue full of table setting. It looks like Ellis has created something promising here.
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