Godkiller: Tomorrow’s Ashes #1
Being new to Black Mask’s ‘Godkiller’ universe, the recap at the beginning of the new ‘Godkiller: Tomorrow’s Ashes’ #1 was crucial for understanding the characters and circumstances going into the issue. Writer Matteo Pizzolo presents a mature-rated cyberpunk sci-fi drama that is imaginative, bold, unrestrained, and unapologetically hardcore. It’s a fascinating blend of ‘Blade Runner,’ ‘Heavy Metal,’ and ‘Akira.’
The recap provides a summary: teenage orphan Tommy continues his quest to find a new heart for his dying sister, but he has been captured by The Republic. Anti-heroine Halfpipe aims to rescue him, but she requires assistance from the enigmatic relic hunter Soledad. Tommy has been intentionally infected with metarachnoid larva by the feared crimelord Beezal, which will devour him unless he retrieves an artifact known as the Nibiru Box. ‘Tomorrow’s Ashes’ picks up with Halfpipe and Soledad attempting to negotiate with Beezal.
What unfolds from there is seemingly familiar as they engage in a back-and-forth exchange filled with insults, but it ultimately becomes shocking, brutal, and utterly captivating. Pizzolo injects a touch of humor into the banter between Halfpipe and Soledad, which lightens the mood in a tense situation. The remainder of the issue focuses on Tommy’s detention, revealing the Republic’s intentions for him.
The issue’s style, atmosphere, and attitude are derived from Anna Muckcracker’s strikingly angular character designs and rich, deep color palette. The characterizations bring to mind the avant-garde sci-fi animated short ‘Aeon Flux.’ The colors are even bolder, the backgrounds minimal yet atmospheric, and the nudity unabashedly on display without any sexualization. It evokes a moody and somewhat surreal ambiance at times, creating a sci-fi dystopia that feels more like a nightmare than a dream.
‘Godkiller: Tomorrow’s Ashes’ #1 continues to explore a unique apocalyptic sci-fi world where anything is possible. Pizzolo and Muckcracker are not constrained by conventional rules, offering a bizarre journey through their imaginations that is both shocking and riveting. This is unquestionably for mature audiences, but it may not appeal to everyone. If ‘Saga’ delved into the underbelly of a dystopian society teeming with grime and subjective morality, you would find ‘Godkiller.’
