Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Infinite Vacation #1Infinite Vacation #1
In Stores 1/12/2011
Image Comics
Spencer, Ward & Powell

The latest Nick Spencer, creator owned project, begins with a bang in this first issue. As you might expect, if you have read a Nick Spencer comic book, that it contains some terrific dialogue, a great opening to grab on to, a good gimmick or mystery to move the issue along and a terrific cliffhanger. All of this adds up to an excellent opening to this series.

The premise of the book is simple enough but it can become really complicated depending on how you let it run away. Spencer pulls the most out of it because "complex" is what he does. Imagine a way for a human personality to jump from person to person anywhere in the world by simply buying or swapping with another person. It's sort of a cross between the old TV Show Quantum Leap and the concept of vacation timeshare swapping.

Spencer introduces this idea with a series of jumps that immediately establishes that this book is going to make you nuts following all the places the main character, Mark, heads. It's not only interesting but it's nice to see Spencer push the limits of what the reader can keep track of in terms of whom and where the main character is. Considering jumps can occur almost instantly, Mark can potentially jump back in time to a person that maybe doesn't miss that bus or doesn't drink the sour milk. The flip side of course is what happens when you accidentally jump to someone who is about to get hit by a truck. Spencer explores all that and much more in this issue and he leaves a cliffhanger that will drive you back to reread the issue immediately.

The artwork is fitting for the story as it takes on a psychedelic approach that invokes a state of confusion where the reader may or may not be looking at reality. And that assumes there is a reality to look at. I enjoyed the color palette because it brought energy to the pictures and some life to the emotions – at very key times. Since the style and presentation is not the regular super hero stock I can see how some might be turned off here but I think this is fitting for the story Spencer is telling.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsI would be remiss if I failed to mention I found a missing word on the top panel of page eight. Keeping in mind I received an advance copy I can't say that this mistake will make it through to print but it does receive a half goggle demerit as a result.

Spencer brought the goods in Existence 2.0, Forgetless and Morning Glories so I've come to expect big, big things from him. He's doing it again with a fresh idea, interesting characters and a bombshell of a cliffhanger to keep you coming back for more. I can't recommend this book enough.

4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles