Oblivion Song By Kirkman & De Felici Volume 1

I'm in a comic hyperfixation at the moment, partly sparked by getting lost in Saga and partly due to my AuDHD being out of control due to the medication shortages, which means I've had some real highs and lows with comics recently. Oblivion Song is absolutely one of the highs!.

Ten years ago a sci-fi event took place, the Transference, that caused a chunk of Philadelphia got shunted into another dimension along with everyone in it. This dimension is giving the realm where the creature from The Mist originate, Lovecraftian monsters, deadly titans, and strange, moldy jungle. Those shunted into this dimension live in this post apocalyptic nightmare, mourned by their loved ones and abandoned by the government. One man, aided by his tiny team show more of scientists, singlehandedly works to bring people back, while he desperately searches for his brother.

This is a wonderful premise that is backed up with some great writing, characters with actual depth, and a thoughtful, mature, and heartbreaking approach to the serious themes this comic explores. Grief, obsession, and post traumatic stress disorder being chief among these elements as people are forced to confront their loved ones being lost, possibly dead, without closure. There is the cold fact that the government doesn't care and you are all but helpless if they are opposing you on your own (together we are stronger than any authority). The government connection also crestes tension between the protagonist and his partner. There is the difficulty adjusting to normal life and the question whether that is something those who have been living a certain way for a decade even want to do.

There's a lot going on and it's messy and human and rich and feels very real and emotionally engaging, which is what I am desperate for in fiction. There's a depth and tension I truly didn't expect, but this being Kirkman of The Walking Dead (hey, it's not his fault the show is so awful) perhaps I shouldn't have been. I truly believe science fiction and fantasy are at their best when they explore want it means to be human and the difficulties of our lives now, albeit through weird, epic, and abstracted means, and this really provides that. It's also filled with bizarre, dangerous creatures and very pretty art too.

I don't always have a lot to say after reading a comic and sometimes I realise there is a lot less to them upon finishing, but my appreciation for Oblivion Song has only increased in reflecting on it. I can only hope the other volumes and unfolding story sre this good! show less

*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to dear Edelweiss+ and Image Comics!*

Introduction:

I’ve got to be honest here: the cover art drew me in with its darkness, beautiful colours, and mirror effect. Then, the blurb did it for me. I can never resist a story about parallel dimension, even less comics about that topic! I was thrilled when they granted my request to review this graphic novel. And I was even happier with how good this book is!

Let’s explore it together!

The Blurb:

Ten years ago, half of the city was crushed and has been lost in Oblivion, a parallel dimension invaded by monsters. There are those who can do the show more “transference” and travel to the parallel city. Nathan Cole, along with a small team, goes into the other dimension to rescue people stuck there since the tragedy occurred. They will have to fend their way through a city covered in slime and weird plants while fighting against a group of survivors.

Positive Sides:

Let’s jump right into what’s obvious to the eye: the colour palette used what with its beautiful colours with gradients is lovely. And even though the drawing style takes a while to get used to… it’s similar to the first comics in a few aspects. Yes, I’m talking about dear old Batman in the ’60s and such. With a modern spin, of course.

The characters are another thing that is definitely worth discussing. The realism of the relationships between the characters and how we’d all react may it be from a societal to personal POV is SO well depicted! But that’s not all: there is a lot of diversity in this book! Nathan’s girlfriend, Heather, is black and also looks Latina (it’s not clear, but she’s a POC), Duncan’s wife is Asian and Duncan himself is black! This is really cool and inclusive. Speaking of which, I found the book to be inclusive on another level: on body shapes. Now, hang on, there’s a squared and muscular woman dating a slender man. That is rarely seen in stories, and even less in comics. Love, love all this diversity and realism!

But what about the story itself? I must admit it is quite intriguing. And it starts right into the action! I’m a fan of such beginnings. We also encounter a few fun surprises along the way… before the mega ending of WHOA SURPRISE UPON SURPRISE! I adored it, really! Also, please note that the story and details we’re looking for during the reading, well, are NOT supposed to make sense… at all… Why? Because our questions are inherently linked to the plot ending. There’s a reason why if you stick with it and while a bit uncomfortable at first, it’s genius in the end! Moreover, EVERYTHING is linked! I mean it, when I look back and think about it, all the details matter. Amazing!

Negative Sides:

The only negative point is how the story is a bit too vague for a long while, which confuses us until we get about half into it or so.

In Conclusion:

I recommend this book whole-heartedly! It might have a slightly annoying negative side, but the whole story is engrossing, unique, and the drawings are beautiful. It offers us many positive points such as diversity, vibrant colours and surprises! For all these reasons, I give Oblivion Song a rating of 5 out of 5! This graphic novel is too good not to give it a perfect score. show less

Ten years ago -- in an event that evokes the storied Philadelphia Experiment -- several blocks of Philadelphia were displaced with an alien landscape filled with monsters. The monsters were killed, the space has withered to a wasteland, and some of the people who disappeared were rescued from an alien dimension called Oblivion, but long after public attention has turned to other matters one man continues a quest to find the many people who never returned -- including his own brother.

While not as gripping as The Walking Dead, this is a decent start to a sci-fi thriller packed with action and adventure, twists and turns, and some intriguing relationships.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contains material originally published in single magazine form as show more Oblivion Song #1-6. show less

I got the first 4 of these graphic novels cheap in a lot, but was kind of disappointed to find out there are 6 so if I want to finish it, I'll need to pick up those last 2. The art is definitely my thing, but I do like the monsters and plot and where it seems to be going so will definitely keep on reading.

This didn't do a hell of a lot for me, despite having been told by several people that this series is "really good."

To me, it's a paint-by-numbers set up. Bad thing happened. Only one guy is driven to save everyone for reasons (this time, it's an asshole brother). You've got the trying-to-understand girlfriend who is left in the dark on some things. You've got the tortured co-worker who was once over there. And then, of course, you've got the brother.

Kirkman seems to go for the sketchy-style artists, and it works on The Walking Dead, let so on Outcast, and here, not at all. I'd like to see him change that up a bit.

I'll likely give volume two a chance, to see if he can pull a rabbit out of his hat, but overall, severely underwhelmed so far.

Interesting new series by Robert Kirkman, but I’m not madly in love with the artwork. It’s quite different from Outcast or The Walking Dead, which is my favorite of Kirkman’s stuff. The inter-dimensional travel angle is nifty. I’m curious to see what comes next.

Meh. I love Walking Dead so I thought let's try Mr. Kirkman's newest project. The artwork is blah that's what first threw me off. The storyline was okay but I really didn't like the characters at all. I'll just stick with TWD.