A look four thousand years before our current storyline gives some insight into the machines mysterious past.
DESCENDER #27
Authors: Jeff Lemire
Artists: Dustin Nguyen
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: Image Comics
What You Need to Know:
Ten years ago, giant robots called “Harvesters” appeared near every planet in the United Galactic Council (UGC) and wiped out a majority of their inhabitants. This attacked caused a backlash towards all of machine kind, ensuring their genocide at the hands of assassins and military alike.
In present day, the UGC has become aware of the reactivation of a little companion bot, Tim-21, who’s data programming shares a remarkable resemblance to that of the Harvesters. A race begins as many groups become interested in this little robot boy, including his old companion Andy.
What You’ll Find Out:
Taking place four thousand years before our current story arc, the issue tells the story of a scientist on Ostrakon named Osris. As the rest of his planet clings to old ways, he is forging the path ahead using science to explore the universe. He has spent his life preparing a launch into space with his assistant, Kelik.
As they explore the universe, coming close to another planet, they encounter a Harvester. Upon making contact, they are welcomed into the machine. Deciding to look around they are teleported, along with the Harvester, far away from home. On this new planet, they find life that predates their own but is not organic.
What Just Happened?
While a relatively short issue, the arc should provide some insight into the robot resistance and maybe even the mysterious place where deactivated robots have gone that Tim-21 has seen. The planet is also likely the home place of the ancient robot that Dr. Quon used in his attempt to steal glory and become the “father” of modern robotics.
What should be most interesting for the arc is the exploration of “non-organic” life. While the book has always had themes of humanity explored through machines, this new planet will no doubt help bring a more “human” element to these characters.
One element that could be more widely explored in the issue that could easily help fit to modern times is the commentary on the ancient ways of Ostrakon clinging to old gods and cultures in antithesis to scientific advancement. The main character praises his assistant for his devotion to science and the cause, but when trouble strikes, he is the first to praise an old god of hope. This shows just how ingrained religious undertones can be in a culture, even for men of reason. When an entire culture is built on values relating to a religion, it can be hard to separate those for even the most logical and science-driven individual.
Nguyen’s art is, as always, stunning this issue. The standout being the spread showing the Harvester and following pages. The storytelling is only made stronger by Nguyen’s strong watercolor skills that help build these beautifully blended and organic worlds made cold by metal.
Rating: 7.0/10
Final Thoughts: A short introduction into the past, we meet the world that will no doubt fill in the gaps in our current day storyline. Nguyen’s art really stands out in this issue because there is so short a story to tell. The next few issues should give a fascinating, and humanizing, history to our robot friends.
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