Nonplayer #1 – Review

By: Nate Simpson (everything)

This issue has had a lot (and I mean a TON) of buzz online from folks “in the know.”  I’ve seen no fewer than 4-5 established creators tweeting about how awesome this title is.  This is a mixed blessing.  In some ways, it is a good thing because I think all comic fans want to find “the next big thing” and get in on the ground floor.  But, it can also create some unfair expectations where you finish the comic and say, “Well, that was OKAY, but it wasn’t all that.”

 

In some ways, we should all know intellectually that this is an incredibly stupid practice.  Could you tell from issue #1 that Fables was going to be awesome?  What about The Walking Dead?  How about Y the Last Man or Planetary?  Of course, they were all “good” #1 issues, but what made those comic series awesome is the way they sustained their excellence over 20+ issues.  As you’ll see below, Nonplayer #1 had a good first issue, but the story of whether this is a series to watch won’t be written for some time.

What’s Good: Well, if you like digital art, this is going to light your socks on fire.  The digital linework is so complex and fine and detailed that each panel has a LOT to look at.  And the color palate is very soft and muted giving all of the panels a lush feel.  And the characters are vital and lifelike.  There isn’t a ton more to say:  The artwork is very good.

The story is simple and straightforward.  We start out following a couple of character in a fantasy setting.  From the way they are speaking to each other, you can kinda gather that these are actually gaming avatars and the characters are in one of those massive online games.  This scene leads to some well-done fantasy action and the obligatory cut back to the character’s real life, which is not as pretty and elegant as their fictional world.  There is one pretty cool twist on an awesome final splash page that makes us wonder just how similar/different this world really is compared to ours.

What’s Not So Good: It’s harder to write these reviews on a buzz heavy title like Nonplayer (or Skullkickers or Infinite Vacation) because you feel the need to justify why you have failed to join the chorus anointing the #1 issue as the best comic ever. You just feel like a turd….

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker #1 – LOTS of great comics last week, but the one that is still rattling around my brain the most was this insane first issue by Joe Casey & Mike Huddleston.  Just imagine if Steve Rogers went into a Charlie Sheen-type retirement!  Can’t imagine that these two runners-up didn’t win because they were awesome too.  Runners-up: Amazing Spider-Man #657 & Detective Comics #875

Most Anticipated: Fear Itself #1 – Sure, it’ll probably be a minor let down, but even as much as I LOVE creator-owned comics, there are very few things that get me as excited as a Marvel event.  I mostly read Big 2 superhero comics to see things “happen” and only in events are you pretty much guaranteed of things happening.

Other picks: Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #2, Sweet Tooth #20, I Zombie #12, Blue Estate #1, Green Wake #1, Nonplayer #1, Herc #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Jimmy Olsen – No contest here.  Jimmy Olsen is a fantastic bundle of fun in both story and art that’s well worth your money.  It’s total blast to read and something that feels really fresh and unlike anything else put out by Marvel or DC.  It’s such a shame that this marks the end for the back-up feature, particularly with Nick Spencer’s departing for Marvel.  Regardless, this giant-sized collection is one that’ll definitely see a few re-reads from me in the years to come.

Most Anticipated: Secret Six #32 – Having spoiled for myself the identity of the White Lanter’s chosen (and what a shocker it is!), Secret Six takes my top slot this week, in the second installment of a new story that totally kicked ass last month.  No more crossovers; this is the Six being the Six and getting involved in the kind of brutal, high drama that the excel at, with team infighting galore.  And hey, there’s more King Shark!  Who doesn’t love the bipedal dose of the ridiculous that is King Shark?

Other Picks: Fear Itself, Brightest Day #23, Sweet Tooth #20