Descender #27 Review

Descender #27

Written by: Jeff Lemire
Illustrated by: Dustin Nguyen
Lettered & Designed by: Steve Wands
Published by: Image Comics

Review by Cory Webber

Note: There is a major spoiler from the previous arc. You’ve been warned!

Descender #27 kicks off the three-part story arc Old Worlds, in which we learn the origin of the Harvesters. This story begins four thousand years before our story with Tim-21 begins. But, we are promised to learn the truth about secrets that have been building since issue 1.

Lemire has created a vast and detailed universe brimming with character and history. I remember reading the first issue almost three years ago (!!), and seeing the Atlas of the Core Planets in the back. I was in awe of the scope of world building he had done. Then, to read in the back of another issue that he had stories concerning each and every planet listed had me chomping at the bit.

Well, here we are, twenty-seven issues later, and we are introduced to a new planet, Ostrakon, for the first time. Ostrakon is, or was, the home of the most advanced civilization in the galaxy. This is a time immediately prior to the dawn of robotkind. This series has been fascinating as it has explored a universe where the robots rose, were dealt with and, as seen in the last arc, began to rise again. So, it’s fun to go back in time to see how it all began.

We are introduced to Master Professor Osris, a man who is frustrated by his people’s unwillingness to look to the future and progress. In response to their inability to let go of the past, he goes on a mission with an apprentice to seek answers and understanding beyond his home world. I won’t delve too much in to the plot, but suffice it to say that Lemire is as strong as ever on this book. His characterizations are solid. He makes you care.

Now, a lot of what works in Descender, at least for me, is Nguyen’s art. I’ve said it before here, but I’ll say it again – the use of water color was a brilliant choice, but it took me a little bit to get used to it. It gives outer space a feeling of being foreign, yet kind of familiar. The choice of colors in Descender #27, especially in the space travel scenes, are wonderful. And the way the action and movement flows from panel to panel is outstanding. This book is always easy on the eyes.

I don’t want to forget to mention the lettering. Wands has done another stellar job. There are some panels with a lot of dialogue, and I never felt overwhelmed by it. The word baloon placement and dissection was great.

Verdict: Buy it.

Descender #27 isn’t a good jumping on point, but you should catch up if you can. The series proper is ending soon, but Lemire has said that they aren’t done with this universe. And I can’t wait to see where they take us!