Seven To Eternity #1
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Jerome Opena
Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by Russ Wooten
I first noticed Seven To Eternity on the cover of the third issue of Image +. It was this weird grey creature staring directly at you, and even though you can’t see his eyes, it’s as if his gaze pierces your soul. From there, I just had to find out what the book was about so this image wouldn’t haunt me for the rest of my life. In the interview, Rick Remender talks about the core of the book being about, “Every year of your life you’re presented with decisions and, whether or not you’re aware, you’re making compromises… The question is one of the compromises crossing a line you can never come back from… Compromise became a very interesting theme to me in developing this, and that’s the undercurrent we’re exploring.” The idea of a comic exploring the heavy theme of compromise intrigued me. I knew I would be picking this book up.
The book is about the Osidis family trying to remain neutral in a war against Garils Sulm / The God of Whispers / The Mud King. Over the course of the issue, we see the family be driven to action. The issue works because even though the reader is being introduced to a new world, you never feel in over your head. The world makes sense and a lot of what is said is explained. I will say, there is a lot of exposition, but I am fine with that because Remender’s writing is a treat to read.
Rick Remender and Jerome Opena have previously worked together on books like Strange Girl, Fear Agent and Uncanny X-Force. Basically, when they work together magic happens.
The standout element of Seven to Eternity #1 is, without a doubt, Opena’s art and storytelling. Some comic artists are just artists. They draw figures that look flat and don’t convey motion. Some artists can tell a story. They know how to draw a script so that the images convey motion and make the eye go to the next panel. With Opena, you get a talented storyteller whose splash pages are to die for. Every camera angle and panel is perfectly positioned to tell a great story and the images are beautiful.
Rick Remender is at the height of his powers in Seven to Eternity #1. His narrative had me invested in the characters and compelled to know what was going to happen next. There are phrases and sentences that are written in this book that have a lyricism to them and strike so deep to the core that I found myself rereading the issue several times. The relationships the characters had, I believed existed not just within the panels of the book they are done so well.
The Verdict:
Buy It! Rick Remender and Jerome Opena create an amazing book together. If you want to see two creators just at the zenith of their abilities, pick up Seven to Eternity #1.
