Empty Zone #4: I Eat Information

Empty Zone #4 pushes the boundaries of life and death with an exploration of enhancements that verge on the otherworldly, pushing Corinne to confront her own deadly and tragic past.

The overarching narrative of the series comes into focus in a big way in Empty Zone #4. After the shocking results of the last issue, we see Corinne digging for answers within an organization known as Oni Group, meeting a man named Mr. Akanimoh. She quickly realizes that there is something much more dire at work and the action-packed escape sequences ensues. Once again, the artwork from Alexander makes the series special, but I found myself appreciating the more accessible tidbits of information in this issue than any of the ones prior.

Corrine White has a mysterious past, that much is certain, but this series seems to find it’s greatest leaps forward by shining more light on her history. Learning that she was a member of an elite espionage unit called the Tracers in Empty Zone #3 brought some clarity to her struggle, but the ghosts that have found their way into her life help to really expand on what happened. They are her friends, trying to get her attention so that she may help them finally die and escape the torment brought upon by the experiments of those behind Oni Group. Talk about a sci-fi ghost story built on a foundation of raw emotion. Corinne’s grim affair is deeply engaging and the creative team has such an excellent understanding of pacing, each new issue is more and more riveting.

As we make our way out of the downtrodden areas and into a more technologically advanced area, the world building begins to really come into focus as well. We can see the impact on humanity these augmentations have had and as we delve into unnatural territory, the series finds itself in a unique position to ask some interesting questions regarding our pursuit of knowledge and advancement. It’s these types of themes that help to give the series depth outside of more typical character drama.

Yes, Empty Zone is a bit of a slow burn, but the rewards are undoubtedly worthwhile. If the brilliant artwork featuring a technologically dependent world cast into the shadows blurring the lines between life and death isn’t enough, the unnatural mystery that is beginning to unravel now should be more than enough to keep you coming back. As we learn more about Corinne’s past and what she must do to help those who call out to her, the series feels poised to elevate itself into something much more grand, while never losing sight of its dark influences.