Descender Volume 5: Rise of the Robots
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Letters and Designs: Steve Wands
Publisher: Image
A review by Cory Webber
If you haven’t been reading Descender, you need to fix that forthright. This fifth, and penultimate, volume, “Rise of the Robots,” sets the stage for a compelling collision between humans and machines. Everything leads up to the inevitable rise of the robots, as all the main characters (from the UGC, the Hardwire, our little band of fugitives, and the group hunting them) become destined to cross paths.
In this volume, we see allegiances shift, deception aplenty, action from unsuspecting characters, and a twist on the last page that I did not see coming. The middle chapter is an interlude of sorts that follows Driller “the Killer” after he was jettisoned by Andy from their spaceship. He makes his way through a magic-infused planetoid, that I cannot help but think might play a part in issues to come, as it juxtaposes nicely against the technologically dominated universe we are used to. Also, there is about a six-page sequence in the fourth chapter that adds another layer of mystery that should be unraveled in the next volume. I won’t spoil it, but suffice it to say that there is a sweet reunion, followed by a two-page spread with such an eye-grabbing layout using Tim’s head as the centerpiece, then followed by an encounter with a mysterious entity.
If you aren’t used to a comic book that uses watercolor for its colours, then it might take a little getting used to. Watercolor tends to make things look a little muddled with a lesser impact from the line work… some lines do stand out more than others, especially on some faces, but the result is that makes for some awkward looks for the characters. However, the art really does work great for this story, and I can’t picture it being displayed any other way. The way it imbues a sense of ambiguity and uneasiness really highlights the story’s narrative of multiple factions hunting down Tim-21, an innocent, child-like robot, for their own purposes. Who can we really trust? The underground robot resistance? Tim’s human “brother” turned robot scrapper, Andy? His creator, Dr. Quon? The UGC (definitely not!)? Back to the art. Once you get used to it, the comic flows almost flawlessly from one panel to the next. The action is grand, yet intimate at the same time.
As with all comic books, the art is only half the equation and, in some instances, one is stronger than the other. Descender is an example of a time where both the writing and the art complement each other. Lemire’s writing gives depth and difference to each of his characters. We’ve learned a great deal about each main character up until this point, and yet, we feel as if there is some hidden characteristic, or motive, that each one is hiding just under the surface.
The pacing of this book is tight; there isn’t much wasted space. Each panel has a purpose, and that is Lemire’s strength. Nguyen’s art and Wand’s colors help generate an easy flow from panel to panel, and from page to page. Lemire makes us have sympathy for most of his characters, none more so than a child-like robot who hasn’t lost his innocence…just yet. While I’m hoping the final volume gives us the hope-filled resolution between Tim-21 and Andy that I want, I’m sure our favorite robot boy and his adorable robot dog (seriously, the most adorable non-canine dog ever!) have a few more bumps to endure before a smooth ride can be had back to Andy, his long lost brother.
Verdict:
Buy it! Especially if you have been reading up to this point. If you haven’t, then I suggest buying the previous volumes and catching up. The story works best with the knowledge of what came before – this is not a jumping on point.
I know Lemire & Co. have a few tricks left up their sleeves, especially with the reveals on the final pages. This volume has it all: several characters stepping up in big ways; a lot of loss, but the hope of much to gain; and enough mysterious teases to whet your appetite for the final volume. The art has grown on my since the first issue and the writing is Lemire at his finest (when isn’t it, right?!). I cannot wait to see how the diverse groups and threads get sorted out when the final volume comes out. And did I mention those reveals at the end?! (Oh, my!)
