Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Extermination #1
Boom! Studios
Spurrier & Edwards
Boom's latest dollar offering is a first issue of a science fiction, horror series called, Extermination. Coming into the book I assumed the story would have a similar flavor as Alien with some group of characters either chasing down something grizzly or being trapped by something. Instead, this book offers a different perspective entirely. Oh sure, the book has its share of creatures and frightening images, but the book's setup is fairly unique. I enjoyed the first issue and found the science fiction to be more of the mysterious type in the vain of Blade Runner. This is a very good first installment and at a price that can't be beat.
My first read of this issue was a tough one. I couldn't understand the jumping between scenes every five pages or so and I was confused as to why this particular pair of characters was working together in the first place. Then I re-read the book and I began to understand what Spurrier was setting up here and it is quite clever. Spurrier doesn't reveal much linkage between the two timelines here but the clues he provides in the transition scenes make the book stand out as something to watch. I appreciate Spurrier's subtle touch in this opening issue.
The book is about two men, Nox and Reaper, and their interactions. In the "present" time they appear to be the lone survivors of some horrific event. They clearly only co-exist out of need and the dialogue between the two illustrates this very well. During the "past" scenes the two are on opposite sides, though both appear to be operating on the fringes of their society. What we do not know is what happens in between but the results make for a frightful "present".
One thing that I picked up on immediately was the fantastic visuals. Yes, Nox looks a lot like Batman without the cape and the scenery is set up to sort of highlight that. However, the book has such a unique look and feel for the desolate future that I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Not to be ignored are the horrific images in one or two scenes. After all, this is a horror comic book. This was a fun visual story.
Extermination is probably an acquired taste. Luckily the character work is strong enough here that you don't have to be a science fiction or horror fan to enjoy the book. Sure this issue presents a lot of unanswered questions, but the set up is good enough to get me to return for a second issue. Priced at a buck, why wouldn't you give this a try?
4 out of 5 geek goggles
