Advance Review – Pariah #1 (of 8) (Dark Horse)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Aron Warner, Philip Gelatt
Artist: Brett Weldele
Release Date: 26th February 2014

[NOTE: This review contains SPOILERS!]

Trapped in space, the genetically engineered geniuses known as “vitros” must band together and create a plan to get back to Earth before their failing satellite turns into a death-trap.

I had no real idea what to expect when I opened Issue #1 of Pariah. There appeared to be a lot of story for the writers to introduce in the first issue which could possibly have resulted in a super condensed “intro-issue” like the infamous Giant Sized X-men #1. However, writers Aron Warner and Philip Gelatt are on the mark on what to include verbatim and what readers can pick up for themselves as this story progresses.

The opening scene drops the reader right into the middle of a battle for power between occupants of the satellite – approximately “5 minutes later…” – an ominous intro if ever there was one. This scene also introduces our narrator, Herman Toulane. Herman is an incredibly sarcastic individual with an obvious disdain to the fact that he is still alive, a slightly jarring trait seeing that he is clearly only a young man. Having grown up in a bad home, he volunteered for this mission in an attempt to find some kind of personal acceptance.

The story moves at a brisk pace as the occupants deal with one disaster after another. It is evident that no one on board is an expert in any of the skills necessary to change their fate. As the characters begin to realise that they have been suckered into a suicide mission, a dangerous spacewalk is highlighted as the only plausible way to alter their situation. Herman once again volunteers, this time getting his wish and paying the ultimate price for his generosity.

Brett Weldele’s art is simplistic throughout Pariah Issue #1, both in terms of detail and colour. This issue is in no way black and white, there are colours used, but each panel is coated in a brushing of black or brown … giving each scene a dull, claustrophobic feel. This style adds to the overall atmosphere of the book and proudly represents the impending doom of these characters. The characters are well designed and easily distinguishable. An interesting art choice was to have the characters drawn in casual outfits, floating through space in t-shirts and canvas trainers; it works well with Herman’s laid back negative attitude.

I enjoyed reading Pariah #1; it moved with a swift pace and kept my attention. It is not a regular occurrence for a books narrator to die in Issue #1, so I look forward to the rest of this series, intrigued as to how this book will pan out.

Rating: 4/5

INTERIOR ARTWORK PREVIEW
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