N.K. Jemisin makes a strong comic debut with a murder mystery in an incredibly well thought out and rendered corner of the DC Universe with a captivating new Green Lantern in “Far Sector” #1.
Written by N.K.Jemisin
llustrated by Jamal Cambell
Lettered by Deron BennettN.K. Jemisin, the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Broken Earth and Inheritance science fiction trilogies, makes her comic book debut with bestselling Naomi artist Jamal Campbell as they thrust you into a stunning sci-fi murder mystery on the other side of the universe!
For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent.
But that’s all about to change in this new maxiseries that gives a DC Young Animal spin to the legacy of the Green Lanterns!
Sci-Fi Superstar, N.K. Jemisin makes her comics debut with “Far Sector” as she introduces a new Green Lantern in a wholly new and far off corner of the DC Universe. Jemisin is joined by “Naomi” artist Jamal Cambell and letterer Deron Bennett in a captivating feat of world-building and characterization. “Far Sector” draws readers in with an unprecedented murder mystery with a dash of political intrigue and we for one are here for it.
“Far Sector” #1 starts with a body in a gutter, the first murder in 500 years, with new Green Lantern, Sojourner “Jo” Mullein standing over musing over “Things Fall Apart”. Jemisin’s scripting engages readers with Jo’s inner monologue as she reflects on her place in the titular Far Sector, Platform Ever Forward. The plotting of the first issue is more or less straight forward, the start of a mystery. Our major players are set up, suspects are brought in, suspects aren’t actual suspects. All pretty run of the mill, but where Jemisin’s script shines is with characterization and world-building.
“Far Sector”‘s reliance on inner monologue is both a blessing and a curse. While we get many moments of incredible characterization, such as Jo’s way of speaking and reflexive thought process, “Far Sector”#1 comes off as an incredibly wordy comic which is often a growing pain of the transition of prose authors to the visual storytelling of comic books. Jemisin accomplishes Jo’s characterization using a sort of less is more approach. The closest thing we get to an origin story are two panels of an unidentified hand giving her a Lantern ring and one year to make her mark. Everything else, like Jo’s New York background, is drip-fed to us through narration and plotting. Throughout the plot, Jemisin drops seeds of the larger story and is never tempted to show all of her cards too early but gives just enough to bring us back.
Jemisin’s builds a fascinating corner of the universe in “Far Sector” #1. The three major species sharing the Platform Ever Forward are incredibly fresh and high concept, while still feeling approachable. Within their first introduction, Jemisin gives us a concrete feel of what their “deal” is in the context of this world and she further fleshes this out by giving their history. The City Enduring feels like one of the biggest creative flexes in terms of world-building. The concept of the sky being a collective projection of the thoughts of the inhabitants and tying it to Jo finding beauty in the one part of the day when it drops the pretense is such an incredible storytelling tool.
Jamal Cambell’s contribution to this incredible world-building can’t be understated. It’s one thing to have these ideas, but comics are visual and Cambell delivers on the visualization of Jemisin’s concepts in a major way. The landscapes and environments created around the City Enduring are mostly in the background but Cambell has put so much creative thought into the architecture and layout of the world. The reason the Trilogy are so clearly defined is because of Cambell’s designs and while we are on the subject of designs…Jo Mullein’s Lantern uniform may be the best Green Lantern costume yet.
Continued belowCambell carries a lot of storytelling through his artwork as the book is very narration heavy. Cambell’s artworks in tandem with Jemisin’s prose and offsets it. One particular page that action-wise is just Jo being driven from one place to another but narration wise is just describing The City Enduring, Cambell breaks the page into five jagged panels that create a montage of the journey to where they are going as well as an aspect to aspect of the world, giving us a better and clearer sense of what this world looks like. Additionally, Cambell being his own inker and colorist does his artwork so many favors. Nearly every page is rich in texture and a strong sense of what the reader should be looking at on any given page. Also, we must mention Deron Bennett’s excellent lettering in “Far Sector.” Bennett’s use of borderless word balloons compliments Cambell’s artwork and the tech alternate balloons for the @at is a strong choice.
Ultimately, “Far Sector” #1 is the beginning of a Sci-Fi prestige police drama in the middle of an incredibly fresh and well thought out corner of the DC Universe. Jemisin, Cambell, and Bennett create an incredibly textured rich world with an engaging lead in the center.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – “Far Sector” #1 is a strong introduction to a new, fascinating corner of the DC Universe.
