‘Exit Generation: Issues 1 & 2’ Comic Review
Written by Sam Read | Art by Caio Oliveira | Lettering by Colin Bell | Published by Read French Comics | Format: Paperback/Digital
The Earth was overcrowded. Resources were running out. So an ‘Exit’ plan was devised. Ninty-five percent of the planet’s population were evacuated leaving five percent behind. Against all expectations, Earth became a paradise. No more war, no more poverty, no more crime. In the eyes of Jack, one of the Exit Generation left on Earth, it is boring. He longs for a taste of excitement. However, his wishes are granted in the worst possible way when aliens land and start kidnapping people, including Jack’s family and heading off into orbit. Left behind on Earth, Jack swears to rescue them. No matter what the cost.
One of the things I like about Exit Generation is the move away from the standard ‘dystopian’ future. Set in 2055, this story could have easily been about ‘a group of humans on a sparsely populated earth fighting for survival in the remains of civilisation’. I am sure that has been done, more than once, so to see the ‘paradise Earth’ used in this story is a refreshing break and it works well. Written by Sam Read, the main character of this story, Jack, is bored with his life. In fact, he is probably a good representation of why there are so many dystopian stories out there. Paradise is boring and that is probably what makes this character so identifiable. But don’t go thinking that because he is bored, the comic itself is boring. Oh no.
Setting up this world is done swiftly and cleverly in the first issue. It is clearly shown through a few panels how the world got to be how it is and then the story hits the ground running. The art itself, by Caio Oliveira, lends itself well to this, depicting the story clearly whether it be Jack and his family celebrating a birthday or a drooling, lizard like alien kidnapping people from the street. As I was reading this comic, it almost felt like a sci-fi film the way it flowed through the story, pacing not an issue at all.
If anything, the second issue seems more confident than the first. If issue one was dipping the metaphorical toe into the vast sea of Exit Generation‘s world, then issue two is more wading into the depths. The introduction of new characters add to the story and the previous characters, namely Jack and his best friend Mo, seem more developed and stronger. The story picks up pace as well as more excitement and back story is revealed to the reader.
Overall, this is a great start to a series which has a lot of potential, especially if it keeps the story going at the rate it is. I left me wanting more. I want to know more about the characters, more about the world and more about the ‘Exit’. So, if you are looking for a sci-fi comic about alien abduction, punk rock and adventure then look no further. Check out Exit Generation.
Digital and physical copies of Exit Generation issues 1 & 2 can be purchased now at http://www.readfrenchcomics.bigcartel.com/
