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A review by tigger89
Descender, Vol. 1: Tin Stars by Jeff Lemire
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This review and rating pertains to all six volumes as a whole.
There were several things I enjoyed about this series, but one glaring flaw that spoiled the rest for me. I'll start with what I liked. First, the concept is incredible, and the themes were carried through well. I loved the elaboration on the events of ten years prior, as well as the different factions that emerged in the wake. I also thought that a robot child was the perfect viewpoint to explore these themes through, and was very satisfied with how that was handled. The watercolor art style, unusual for sci-fi comics, brought a pleasant soft contrast to the story.
There were several things I enjoyed about this series, but one glaring flaw that spoiled the rest for me. I'll start with what I liked. First, the concept is incredible, and the themes were carried through well. I loved the elaboration on the events of ten years prior, as well as the different factions that emerged in the wake. I also thought that a robot child was the perfect viewpoint to explore these themes through, and was very satisfied with how that was handled. The watercolor art style, unusual for sci-fi comics, brought a pleasant soft contrast to the story.
Where I feel this fell short, however, was at the end. I got to the end of the story and was left wondering what it was all for. The plot does answer the questions posed at the start, but all of the tension regarding how the characters will carry on is passed along to the sequel series! So if I didn't read it for the plot resolution, did I at least read it for the characters? And that's where I have serious beef with this story. I'm going to try not to go into too many spoilers, but a few will be necessary to explain why I'm bothered.
So why would I want to continue reading a sequel story to find answers about a character I loathe? I get that he's supposed to be an anti-hero, but an anti-hero as bad as he is needs a hell of a lot of redemption to be palatable. And there was none of that. So, my final verdict is: incredible concept, meh plot, garbage character situation. Your mileage may vary, especially if you go in forewarned(or don't care) about the Andy issue. I'm just frustrated because there was so much that was promising and cool, and then it went the way it did!
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Violence, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail