REVIEW: Infinity 8 #1

Lion Forge continues to distinguish itself as one of the most diverse publishing houses in comics. For the creators, editors, and publishers, the Lion Forge platform is about both cultural diversity and the cultivation of a rich variation in genre for its titles and imprints. From the Magnetic Collection, Infinity 8 #1: “Love and Mummies”“ continues in this tradition, delivering an impressive opening salvo of the title“s first story arc set in a spaced-out sci-fi universe with as many different species of beings as modern digital color pallets will allow.

Infinity 8 is an intriguing (and mature) look at the contemporary space odyssey. A huge spacecraft ”“ housing hundreds of thousands of passengers ”“ sets out on a journey. The title“s protagonist, Yoko Keren is some kind of security officer/vanguardian explorer, who is on a personal mission of her own; one that makes for some laugh-out-loud moments as she instantaneously scans the genomes of as many male species as she encounters. Yoko Keren“s personal mission is part of what distinguishes this issue and will likely distinguish this mini-series. Infinity 8 isn“t your normal/average space odyssey. It“s a Bio-space odyssey ”“where the race and genetic makeup of its vast cast of characters matters as much as the technological aesthetics of the story.

This issue is written by Lewis Trondheim and Zep with colorful art work by Dominique Bertail. Oliver Vatine handles the design direction, which is an important note for the mini-series as the artists will change in later story arcs. Infinity 8 is for mature audiences and there are one or two panels that earn the “mature”“ labeling on the cover, but the themes of genetic exploration in tandem with space exploration make for some apt literary and visual metaphors. The potential for Yoko“s story shines brightly ”“ even in the first few pages of this issue.

For readers interested in adding a sci-fi-space odyssey title to their pull list, Infinity 8 should be a welcome addition. It“s not as dark or heavy as Low; and it isn“t as overwhelming in its alterity as Black Science. This is a lighter ”“ and in some ways ”“ a more exploratory story, with a budding sense of humor that will distinguish it from these other popular titles. Even if sci-fi comics aren“t your “thing,”“ the comic timing and perfect placement of the “twip twip”“ sound of Yoko“s genomic scanner makes this title worth a good look. 3.5/5.

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(W) Lewis Trondheim, Zep (A/CA) Dominique Bertail