In space, no one hears you scream… or almost. In this article, we present you the first volume of the very nice comic strip Ascender.
 | Authors: Jeff Lemire (script) & Dustin Nguyen (art and color) Publication: 2018 in the United States and 2020 in France by Urban Comics for Volume 1 Price: 16€ Number of pages : 136 |
An extended universe and a very rich background
Exploration, suspense, mysteries and conspiracies, there is something for everyone. But let's start from the beginning. What is Ascender?
This first volume tells the beginning of the story of Mila, a mischievous and courageous girl who lives on the great planet Sampson. Ten years after the disappearance of the machines, a large part of the universe is destroyed, and with it, the species that lived there. Finally, the magic gradually regained its rights. Raised by her father in hatred of the Mother, feared by all, Mila embarks on a quest to find the missing people… But you have to do it before it's too late… Accompanied by her robot dog Bandit, she tries to continue the course of her life in the heart of a universe governed by tensions. Despite their vigilance, the Mother and her minions are never far away, and her eyes are everywhere.
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The Ascender trilogy, the last volume of which was published in March 2021, follows Descender, which serves as a prequel to our story. The universe created by Jeff Lemire is vast and complex, and takes place in a galaxy perpetually in conflict. And for good reason: long before the events of Ascender, it was dominated by men, before 9 gigantic robots appeared in the wake of some planets. These are the Harvesters. One day, one of them wakes up and triggers a ray that decimates the population. Several years later, Tim-21, a young anthropomorphic robot, regains consciousness in a world where humans have perished. There remains only a dog robot called Bandit, as well as Driller, a mining robot. Several factions then compete to capture Tim-21. And if you're lost, don't worry! At the end of the book is a timeline that summarizes the events of each series. A welcome reminder that helps to understand the issues without spoiler.
Colors and atmospheres: watercolor in the spotlight
Dustin Nguyen's choice for the watercolor on this comic is not surprising: it is his trademark. It has already been seen in other beautifully illustrated comics. At Urban Comics, he is the artist (and sometimes the colorist) of Batman, Little Gotham (2015), Black Hammer (2020) or American Vampire Legacy (2013- ).
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A talent for color that complements Jeff Lemire's screenplay art, inspired by the DC universe and enriched by many past experiences.
And if you're interested in galactic adventures…
Finally, to close this article in style, we can only advise you works that will speak to you! Ascender will recall the Sillage series (much more mature in the drawing and in the stakes), that of Valerian (for its exploration side), or, in a more American comics style: the timeless Star Wars and their political aspect in space opera series. In a field other than comics, Niourk, the novel by Stefan Wul, also tells the adventure of a very young boy, in a world where technology has disappeared for years. And of course, the legendary trilogy of robots by Isaac Asimov, a founding monument of science fiction, which greatly inspired the authors of Ascender. To conclude, Ascender is a work rich in reference and heir to an extended and exciting universe. We hope that this article has made you want to take an interest in it.
