Writer: Matt Garvey
Artist: Dizevez
A review by Amelia Wellman
Matt Garvey is at it again, creating more first issues when he’s got other series still on the go! In between Transfer #1 and #2 has been a bit of a wait, I have to say… But I kid (for the most part). Garvey’s a fantastic story teller and I’m happy to have a new narrative in my hands with The Ether #1!
A child killer is on the loose, kidnapping and mutilating little girls. The second murder brings a masked and brutal vigilante onto the case. As they prowl the dark London streets, clues about the grisly crimes begin to come to light. It’s bigger than was previously thought. More organized. Who is behind the sinister murders, and what actually are they hoping to achieve?
The story of The Ether #1 is one we’ve seen before with dark crimes and a masked vigilante with a chip on their shoulder working to solve them. This narrative, at this point in time, is sort of a neutral base since we’ve seen it so much. It’s the character that will make or break the bleak crime thriller. Garvey doesn’t disappoint in issue one with a main lead that’s immediately interesting. There’s the requisite bleak past, suggested ulterior motives, and a loved one that’s definitely in danger for the drama of future issues.
The distinctly brutal style in which The Ether’s vigilante deals with those that stand in their way is a great draw for me. And the reveal of who’s under the mask is really great. What little is revealed about them takes the justification for their brutality in a whole different direction, which is always a pleasant surprise. I love when preconceived perceptions get completely flipped like that!
The art of The Ether #1 is so fantastic. I’m in love with Dizevez’s art! It’s all very textured and looks like it was created with a paintbrush on canvas. It makes it all feel kind of hazy and indistinct, like a bad dream. The comic is also very shadowy and dark, but there are bursts of colour throughout that are so gorgeous and lend the comic so much life and personality. And I personally love that one of our characters looks pretty much identical to Tilda Swinton if she were to play David Bowie in a biographic movie. That’s always a good look for a character.
The Verdict
Check it out! The Ether #1 is a fantastic start to a story that’s interesting, beautiful, and will only get more dangerous and brutal as it continues. Matt Garvey has a seemingly bottomless supply of stories to tell and The Ether #1 shows (again) how great all those stories are!
