Some thoughts on two new series from IDW Publishing – Read Only Memories #1 and Wellington #1 out now in print and digitally!
Read Only Memories #1
When a robot arrives at her door seeking a lost lover, she is drawn into a journey to the seemingly peaceful beaches of Santa Cruz.
Sina Grace – Writer
Stefano Simeone – Artist, Cover Artist, Variant Cover Artist
Christina-Antoinette Neofotistou – Variant Cover Artist
Call me intrigued! I was unsure what I was getting into with this new series, and I found myself hooked!
This is an excellently built sci-fi detective story. The detective – Lexi – seems to be an ex-member of the force. She refers to her time there and even some of her kit and relationships, but no reason why she left. In the meantime, we are introduced to her in the beginning looking into a possible cheating spouse. This is almost ruined by a sentient robot – but no problem there. The same robot then catches up with her for a job, it seems like a run of the mill runaway, but as the story progresses it becomes something different. Something we’ll have to keep reading more of.
I really liked the clean art style – it feels a little Halo Jones (in art and story) and the colours are something different!
The backup story gives us more of a look into the world that Lexi lives – it’s an 8-bit short with a nice finish!
Wellington #1
From Aaron Mahnke, the creator of the Lore podcast, comes an amazing new supernatural thriller that shines a light on the mysteries and monsters lurking in the shadows. Meet the Duke of Wellington-one of England’s most decorated military heroes and, unknown to most, her most daring monster hunter. The secret history of the Iron Duke begins here!
Delilah S. Dawson – Writer
Aaron Mahnke – Writer
Piotr Kowalski – Artist, Cover Artist, Variant Cover Artist
Robert Hack – Variant Cover Artist
From science fiction to some classic horror! Wellington gives us the secret history of the Iron Duke. I get a feel of the Hound Of The Baskervilles in this issue, but I assume that’s the moors and the big dog. Nevertheless, this was an interesting read as the Duke goes to investigate some mysterious deaths in Yorkshire for a friend. There are missing people and a body with strange markings. It does seem we get the origin of the markings (although not what they are) and some more action. We get the black dog and a crow that speaks German!?
The art is classically done, with the mood and the colouring done well. The ending may give some of the plot away, but I enjoyed this read on a dark night!
