It’s been a while since we checked in with “Nowhere Men” last. Last time we saw it round these parts, it was still building a slow burn, character based drama that was positively dripped with ambiguous morality and superb world building. Here, we see things finally come to a head. But was it worth the wait?
Written by Eric Stephenson
Illustrated by Nate Bellegarde
Thinking The Unthinkable.
At the risk of spoiling the rest of this review, it’s pretty safe to say that yes, it was worth the wait for this issue. One of the complaints that plagued the last issue was that the focus on the slow burn drama and world building seemed to sacrifice any forward momentum. Things seemed to be going nowhere fast. That’s a problem that’s solved here as what might as well be the first story arc of the book comes to a close. All the individual pieces in play in the narrative finally coalesce here for some genuine inter-character conflict that has been bubbling at the surface since issue one. We finally see what’s left of World Corp. butt heads as well as an explanation for the existence of the now mutated space station crew and it is wholly satisfying. Even though much of the issue is dedicated to each party standing in a large room and arguing with each other, the fact that Stephenson built this conflict across five previous issues and decades in-universe makes it worth it. Especially when the issue finally cuts loose with mutated scientist fuelled action.
This allows artist Nate Bellegarde to cut loose as well and shows that Bellegarde might just be the real star of the show here. His action pages at the conclusion of the book are simply stunning to behold, helped by stark lighting provided by Jordie Bellaire’s colours. Though the action is where Bellegarde’s art really shines, he manages to handle very lengthy dialogue scenes with nuance and grace. Each of his character designs are wholly unique which lends to a diversity of the cast and he imbues each of them with subtle emotional expression that keeps the dialogue scenes engaging. Not only that, but he manages to cram a whole lot dialogue and story into each page. There’s enough story in this issue to fill a book twice this size which speaks to Bellegarde’s strength as a storyteller that he can manage to not only fit it all in here, but keep the momentum of the story flowing without the issue feeling cramped.
While it’s Bellegarde’s art that makes the story work on the page, Eric Stephenson’s writing is not something to ignore. His sense of grand worldbuilding is again showcased as second to none here. While there isn’t as much extra matter here, only one faux interview to introduce a new character and a photo retrospective of World Corp., he manages to give even more detail to the characters and their backstory. He is always quick to remind the reader of the history the characters have with each other especially as we see the conflict that has been building for decades in the story come to a head this issue. It’s a marvel to read and continues to show that Eric Stephenson is one of the best character writers in comics. Somehow both he and Bellegrade manage to make scenes of characters just standing around and talking utterly engaging through both Stephenson’s sharp dialogue and Bellgarde’s renderings of the subtle emotions of each character.
While it may have taken a while for this issue to get here, it gladly did not disappoint. Stephenson finally allowed the different groups of characters to interact, bringing some much needed conflict to counteract the slow burn drama. It’s a much needed breath of fresh air that this series needed to stop from getting stagnant too early and, as Stephenson teases, it really is just the beginning. The first arc or chapter or what have you may have come to a close here, but there are still enough dangling threads and unanswered mysteries lying deep in Stephenson’s writing to keep this series going. And with Bellegarde and Bellaire in tow, this series looks to forge the path along with Image’s other titles towards a brighter dawn for creator owned series.
Continued belowBefore this review wraps for real, a quick mention should of course go to Fonografiks who designs “Nowhere Men”. For as much praise as I can shower Stephenson and Bellegarde, this series would not feel the same without the aesthetic brilliance that comes from the book design. From cover to cover as well as Stephenson’s world building interviews and fake ads, Fonografiks has really outdone all other work here.
It may have taken its time getting here, but it was worth the wait. Stephenson brought much needed weight to the series through some well written dialogue spats as Bellegarde did what he does best in rendering this wholly unique world. With Bellaire and Fonografiks rounding out the team, this issue really outdid all others before it. This may be the best issue of “Nowhere Men” yet and hopefully it only gets better from here.
Final Verdict: 8.2 – Definite buy.
