Titanium Rain Archaia Studios Press (ASP) Review by Chuck Moore |
Titanium Rain is a twelve issue, bi-monthly limited series coming from Archaia Studios Press, a company with a growing and impressive comic property line. As a reader, I've been enjoying their titles immensely and Titanium Rain proves no exception to that trend.
Titanium Rain is set in the year 2031. Here, a civil war originating in China has gone global pulling in all the major international players. This is a complex story concept that is handled deftly in this first issue. The writers don't take the easy out laying it all down in some drawn out narrative introduction. Rather, they explain the dynamics of the situation as the story's main characters sit around a table playing a round of poker between missions. It's a conversation that stands at the center of this issue and lays the groundwork for the tale to follow all the while serving to introduce you to some of the main characters. At first glance, I would call this a military story, but one that is based in human interaction on and off the battle field.
Husband and wife creative team, Josh Finney and Kat Rocha are two names you should recognize from their acclaimed, soul swapping, cyberpunk series Utopiates. They return with Titanium Rain, a story about man against nature, man against man and the instinct to survive. It's a war epic for the sci-fi generation complete with bio-tech, mech based conflict and some interesting advanced weaponry.
On the very first page of the story, the title pulls no punches transforming a calm Buddhist temple into a firefight that could easily be dropped into the heart of Black Hawk Down. In the pages that follow, we learn that forces are coming under fire in Sichuan Basin, China. It could easily be mistaken for a modern day war epic were it not for the quick introduction of a battletech styled mech walking down the street and the aircraft circling overhead. For this reader, that's exactly the way it should be and a move that I applaud. Here, the story doesn't hit you over the head saying "we're set in the future" but feels very recognizable as a modern day conflict that stands reimagined. The feeling of realism is taken up a notch by the recognizable story elements. Add in just enough cool tech to give it a fresh feel and you have my positive initial impression of Titanium Rain.
The main character of this story (so far anyway) is Alec Killian. He is battle hardened and reads as both a contemplative and driven character. His mind is on the topic of evolution from the word go and foreshadows themes I believe are coming soon within the series. The cast of supporting characters are entertaining and interesting. I instantly liked the female British military officer Happy and Alec's smartly funny wing man. The conversation between each of the characters around the poker table was well paced.
Changing gears just a bit, I have to take a moment and speak to the art of this series. It's in the photo realistic style, but here all engines are firing full throttle. The imagery, even in the heart of a bloody battle sequence, is gorgeous. The use of color only adds to a detailed art style that impresses me page after page. There is a depth of clarity and attention to detail (watch for the reflections in the visors late in the issue) that is spot on great. Also, if you are a military buff, maps of the conflict regions and a closer look at the F-35X Hellcat Joint Strike Fighter are included. Josh and Kat have done their homework here and it shows.
For an introductory issue to a longer tale, this is a solid start. I will be back reading issue two and look forward to seeing how this series and the discussion of humanity, biotechnology and evolution unfolds.
The first issue of this new series is being solicited right now (May issue of Previews MAY083601) with an anticipated street date of July 2008. Also, the creators let me know that Discount Comic Book Service is offering a special deal on Titanium Rain #1. You can order it for $1.64 (45% off cover price) here. You can also get a full preview here in our forums.
Learn more at www.glitchwerk.com/titanium/.
Page last updated on May 18, 2008