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4001 A.D. #3 Review

Comic Books

4001 A.D. #3 Review

In the future we’re all going to be ruled over by robots. It’s bound to happen right? Google is attempting to avoid that now with rules, but how much can you develop an A.I. before it can change itself? 4001 A.D. is a story dealing with a computer taking over everything, but is it good?

4001 A.D. #3 (Valiant Entertainment)

4001 A.D. #3 Review

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So what’s this book about? The official Valiant summary reads:

The war against Father turns in favor of the 41st century’s revolutionary heroes as Rai finds his long-lost friends aboard the monstrosity that has become New Japan. But even together, can Rai and his allies stand against Father’s defenses? And can they rescue what remains of New Japan before it crashes down to Earth and destroys everything…and everyone?

Why does this book matter?

Writer Matt Kindt has quite an epic tale on his hands as Rai attempts to stop his father from carelessly ruling over the humans who live in a ship called New Japan just outside Earth. He has some friends, but how can he stop the hordes of robots that are attacking him? This issue opens there.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

4001 A.D. #3 Review
Wow that’s pretty.

Kindt writes some beautiful captions in this issue, first inside Rai’s head that focus on his doubt and understanding that he can’t win, and then later a parable about mice that live inside a snake. I have to admit there were times I stopped looking at the art and only read the captions as I was drawn into them and didn’t want to break the narrative by viewing the art. The issue also opens with a fantastic flashback that discusses a time when the humans ruled and robots or “Positrons” did all the work. This leads to the turning of the tide later in the issue and makes the moment feel earned.

Meanwhile, the art by Clayton Crain looks gorgeous in its computer animated look. At times backgrounds or characters look positively real and there’s nothing quite like this art style out there. This story suits his style too because the robots shine and glimmer in a very cool way. His choice of colors make scenes pop too, with lots of reds when things get hairy, and dark blues for a scene between Father and Rai that enhances the foreboding doom Father brings.

It can’t be perfect can it?

I don’t want to say it was too easy, but it does seem rather quick how it all plays out in the final pages. Kindt leaves us in a place where the order of New Japan needs to be sorted out which is intriguing, but concerning the deus ex machina at work here (maybe an intentionally on-the-nose plot twist) things fall into place much too easily for our hero.

4001 A.D. #3 Review
The chaos of war.

Is It Good?

A gorgeous comic that has such good captions you might just stop everything to read them. 4001 A.D. is turning out to be a poetic masterpiece.

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