Review - Dark Engine #1Review by Paul Fiander
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I will admit this review had been a struggle, not in the reading of the book just in terms of how to adequately sum up the opening issue. This is an action packed ride where you are given the briefest introduction but from that point on there is no hand holding what so ever. Ryan Burton writes sparingly but the dialogue that is present is useful in giving you a small dose of comprehension. Many will moan that you are never given a true grounding within the world(s) of Dark Engine but I love the fact that I’m kept on toes.
With lighter dialogue the door is left open for John Bivens to really cut his teeth on the adventures of Sym, his art is the real winner in this book and from the images in the preview gallery below you can see why. The opening pages although quite static show some wonderfully designed beasties and the lack of colour is used to great effect. It is however our first exposure to Sym that really is the kicking off point for the issue. She literally explodes in to the reader’s consciousness on page 3 and in the process takes down one of the world’s greatest predators (a Tyrannosaurs Rex). It’s quite a remarkable panel and from this point onward we get a visual feast of death, Jungles and Hippos. This feels like an opening chapter, I know that sounds daft but after reading it you cannot help but be intrigued as to why Sym has been sent on quest to kill. You are however in under no illusions that she is not equipped for the job. Her physicality and ability to kill is one thing but when this is allied with the mysterious Dark Engine she becomes an amazing weapon for change. At the end of the book we get a letter from Ryan Burton about how Dark Engine came into being. I think his letter has around the same amount of words that appear in the rest of the issue. It is left to John Bivens to be sparing in this section but again it’s nice to see creators helping us understand their vision. Dark Engine’s opening is a jump into the unknown but if this is the sign of things to come then it’s a jump worth taking. The balance of art and dialogue is spot on but be warned this is a visceral ride that does not hold your hand in any way shape of form. Issue Rating 4.5/5The Comic is available in both print and digital from Image comics. Follow this link for more details.
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Sample Art for Issue 1
More Female leads created the Image Way
Images courtesy of Image Comics
Comic - Provided by Creator
Comic - Provided by Creator
