Publisher: Image Comics Writer: Warren Ellis Artist: Declan Shalvey Release Date: 13th May, 2015.

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David Says…

Just to get straight to the point, this book is brilliant. It is by far the best first issue of any book I have read in recent memory. Not only does it lay the groundwork for what looks to be a great mystery, it does so in a style I have never seen in comics before.

The story begins following a major incident which affected the main characters and we see via flashback just how much these characters have changed. It appears that this ‘incident’ is going to be the main story driver moving forwards, as it is hinted to also be causing events in the present.

There isn’t much of a story this far, it has to be said, but  this first issue sets up the lore extremely well while still leaving lots of dangling threads for later.

At this point, despite reading it cover to cover several times, I’m none the wiser about just what The Injection is based on. It could be magic, science or a merging of the two. There are several mysteries to be explored here, including whether the main characters have ‘powers’, and I for one can’t wait.

Shalvey’s artwork is fantastic, conveying the emotion of each scene perfectly and featuring some vibrant, popping colours courtesy of Jordie Bellaire.

As I said before, there isn’t really much of a story so far, but dont particularly don’t mind as it appears that the story to come has been well thought in advance. I can’t speak highly enough of this issue and looking forward to the next one.

The only criticism that could be levelled at the book is that it does feel like it is set up how a TV pilot would run. That said, this could just be forward thinking by the creative team and, to be honest, doesn’t effect my feelings about the series as a whole

Rating: 5/5

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Chris Says…

I really don’t know where I sit with this book. On one hand, it is a textbook Ellis book, in that it’s full of intrigue and mystery, but doesn’t actually give anything away. This has became something of a trope in itself with Ellis’ work, and while he does it very, very well, it doesn’t feel quite as fresh as here it has in the past.

To try and summarise the plot, we follow Maria Kilbride and her team in the past and present; a team who seemingly did *something* that made something else happen and now they all need to do *something* again…

Confused yet?

Declan Shalvey on the other hand is as fresh as ever. With gorgeous art and an attention to what he doesn’t draw as much as what he does, its a damn beautiful book. Teamed with a varied colour palate, provided by Jordie Bellaire, the book definitely has a particular feel to it, with lots of shadows at play giving it a really nice dark tone to it.

I actually enjoyed it overall, but as with so much of Ellis’ work, I think it might be best read as a trade to get a better idea of the ‘bigger picture’.

Rating: 3/5.