Reviewed By Eric Switzer. “Cluster” #1 is the kind of classic sci-fi that gives you those nostalgic fuzzies from growing up watching “Starship Troopers” and “Pitch Black”. As far as first issues go, “Cluster” hits the mark right on: it introduces a heroic character with a troubled past, and band of misfits, and a immediate crisis that could mean all of their deaths. “Cluster” #1 is just what the doctor ordered.
WRITTEN BY: Ed Brisson
ART BY: Damian Couceiro
PUBLISHER: BOOM! Studios
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: February 4, 2014
In the future you can get life in prison for just about anything. Steal a lipstick? Life in prison. Get a YOLO tattoo? Life in prison, well, hopefully. But anyway you can imagine how many people are locked up. Luckily, there is an out: serve 15 years defending a distant planet from hostile aliens while it gets terraformed and you’ll be given your freedom. For most, this isn’t even a choice.
Enter Samara, she apparently killed someone in a drunk driving accident here on Earth, and, years later, is finding it impossible to cope with that guilt. On Midlothian, she is a natural leader and protector. But when things go very wrong in their first mission, Samara and everyone else are desperate, scared, and in big, big trouble.
“Cluster” is hearty, straightforward, hard-boiled sci-fi. Its space marines vs. aliens all the way. And even if there is some intrigue, as the previews have suggested, all in all I’ve got this series pegged as a pretty easy breezy affair. I’m not complaining or calling it uninspired though, I need a good mix of this and that to balance my stack. For every “Intersect”, a “Cluster” makes a great palate cleanser. And with its solid writing, engaging landscapes, and 2.5 dimensional characters, “Cluster” may be just the this to go with my that. It isn’t going to blow minds or make you rethink the space opera, but its sincere and fun. If you are into this genre, there’s no reason you won’t like “Cluster”.
—
Eric Switzer is an aspiring filmmaker and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles. His work tends to focus on the lighter side of entropy, dystopic futures, and man’s innate struggle with his own mortality. He can be found on twitter @epicswitzer or reached via email at ericswitzerfilm@gmail.com.