by Matt Sernaker, Managing Editor
The launch of Ghost Machine begins now! Three new titles are kicking off this week from Image Comics, and ComicsOnline is pleased to share our advance review of these new stories.
Head out into space for the sci-fi epic Rook: Exodus #1, brought to you by creators Geoff Johns & Jason Fabok, Colorist Brad Anderson, and Letterer Rob Leigh.
Official Synopsis:
GEOFF JOHNS (GEIGER) and JASON FABOK, the celebrated team behind the smash hit Batman: Three Jokers, reunite for an all-new science fiction series! Hundreds of years from now, the man known as Rook was once a simple farmer who fled the crumbling Earth for a new life on the planet Exodus; a terraformed planet where all of nature, including its imported animal population, was completely controlled by humans called Wardens. But when Exodus’s world engine failed, the Wardens’ power fell into the wrong hands, creating chaos and mass evacuation…for those who could afford it. The rest, like Rook, must scavenge for an escape vessel as the war for control of what’s left of Exodus begins.
With resources depleting and fires ravaging the planet Earth, the promises of a new world seemed more than ideal for those who could afford it. The corporation known as Better-World ™ gave hope to the citizens of Exodus as they populated it in the year 2159, but those hopes were quickly dashed as the Earth Engine failed in 2170. Now, this terraformed world is on the brink of collapse, and those left behind must find a way to escape before their fates are sealed forever. With the closely controlled technology and animal biology spiraling out of control, the warden known as “Rook” must scavenge for the parts he needs to escape this world…
I loved the character-centric approach to Rook and the mysterious world of Exodus, as it perfectly showcased the familiar-yet-alien nature of this new world. The creative team gave us just enough to better understand how Rook found himself on this new planet, and the familial connections helped to ground the voice of the narrator. From a design approach, the concept of the Wardens and the control over their respective animals was executed very well. Having the birds constantly flying around Rook added another ominous layer to this new planet, and I particularly liked the use of the other elements throughout the story (keeping it vague to avoid some spoilers). While Rook is mostly alone during his adventures on Exodus, we are treated to some solid flashbacks on Earth that help to flesh out his backstory and provide context to his actions. The sci-fi tone is further enhanced by the dramatic color choices of Anderson, helping to differentiate this world from the one that we know.
Rook: Exodus presents readers with a unique and engaging sci-fi epic. This character definitely caught my attention in the Ghost Machine #1 teaser and the first installment in his story did not disappoint.
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives Rook: Exodus #1 – 4.5 of 5 sci-fi adventures.
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