Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Cool Future: Ocean #1

In the future: trash disposes of itself, you can ride to the moon on cool, laser propelled spaceships and books are curious antiques that most people are unfamiliar with. These are just a few of the cool predictions Warren Ellis makes in Ocean #1 from Wildstorm Comics.

Our future-living hero is Inspector Nathan Kane. In this first issue, there are a lot of questions left unanswered about who Kane is or what he is up to. Here are the things we do know: he is fascinated by early space-flight, he is a United Nations Special Weapons Inspector, he hates guns, and you really shouldn't ever pull a knife on him. (Also, if they ever make a movie of this comic, Kane really should be played by Avery Brooks.)

The first issue leaves you a little unsure about his mission, but it involves a creepy discovery beneath the surface of the ocean-moon Europa. Oh, and there are people who want to keep him from this mission badly enough to go way out of their way to have him killed.

Warren Ellis may well be in a private competition to write as many comics as Brian Bendis. He has a reputation for top-notch work, and Ocean does not disappoint. The story here is intriguing, the characters are very well-rounded and the dialogue is excellent-both witty and revealing. There is clearly more story on the way, this issue poses quite a few unanswered questions. The art by Chris Sprouse, recently of Tom Strong fame, is equally appealing.

If you like good science-fiction, mysterious happenings, a good story, and pretty pictures, you should not pass up Ocean #1. For only a few measley bucks, the secrets of the future can be revealed! Don't forget, it's guaranteed as Four Color Fantasies' Book of the Week.

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