Published On: 2021-09-01 by Comixology
Artist: Riccardo Burchielli
Colorist: Luca Salce
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Catch-up on Last Issue
Part of the comiXology Originals line of exclusive digital content only available on comiXology and Kindle.
Two convicts, senator Anna Croft, and her sheriff husband, Ben, are sentenced to twenty-five years to life in a newly constructed cryogenic penal facility for a crime they claim they didn’t commit. Due to a malfunction, however, Anna, Ben and a few others are accidentally released. Once free, the escapees discover that they’ve been frozen for thousands of years, and are the only survivors in a catastrophic future, where prehistoric creatures walk the Earth once more. Given a second chance, the fugitives are forced to create a new society and must decide whether or not to release the rest of the imprisoned criminals in order to survive. Under Anna’s leadership, can these ‘bad seeds’ actually seed a new and better world, or are they doomed to repeat the mistakes of humanity’s checkered history?
In This Issue of Eden #1
Anna and Ben Croft wake up a thousand years later than expected. They’ve been trapped in a cryogenic prison and the world ended while they slept. Years later a computer malfunction frees them and several others. From there, the Crofts try to forge a new nation with a group of criminals as their patriots.
The Comic's Themes
Does our environment and life circumstances determine who we are or are we born already cast and predetermined? That’s the central theme of Eden, and the comic does a great job of exploring the concept with a science fiction angle to it.
Live the Science Fiction
How's Eden #1's Writing?
The Dialogue
The plot is very good. The pacing will sweep you through the book. The dialogue is very television in presentation. It sounds like I’m reading a high-end TV show or a bigger budget movie. Every character has a unique voice and fills a role in the story. The flashbacks are just long enough to fill us in on missing story bits.
Comic Art Review
I enjoyed Burchielli’s style. It reminded me of the Aeon Flux cartoon of old. It lands somewhere between realistic and toon which works for a science fiction comic. The environments are solid. The creatures fall short. The coloring is good. It’s flatter than I’m used to in a modern comic, but it’s consistent throughout and works for the story.
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- Eden Cover
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- Eden 1 P7
On the Cover
The cover is just a taste of the great design found throughout the issue. The cover design uses negative space brilliantly overlaying images of the story details throughout.
The Comic Panel by Panel
The graphic design work in Eden #1 is exceptional. It is slick. The chapter transitions use the logo and other artwork from the issue.
The pages use a variety of panel set-ups. Non-traditional shapes are mixed in to great affect. There’s one page where the Crofts’ world is falling apart and the panels fall right along with the action. It’s a case of comics doing what comics do best telling and showing us what’s happening on several levels of story. There’s a full splash page for each of the primary characters. It’s a cool way of bring focus to them.
World Building
The environments are fantastic. Our heroes start in the industrial, cryogenic penal colony before running into Nevada where the forests have gone wild. The criminals find an old town and make it their home.
Collect the Science Fiction
Collect the Science Fiction
Who's In This Issue of Eden #1
- Ben Croft
- Mary Kay Alabaster
- Rodrigo
- Ivan Khandari
The Big Question for Next Issue
How long have the prisoners been sleeping? What will happen to the survivors? Who will live and who will die?
Hear the Science Fiction
"Cryogenic freezing may keep convicted felons off the streets, but it does nothing to prepare them to re-enter society."
Who Will Like Eden #1?
There’s a strong Lost vibe to Eden. Something mysterious has happened to the world. Any of Tom Cruise’s latest science fiction movies also feel like Eden.
I Need More Content like Eden #1
Darkling Entertainment, Inc., has produced other television properties. Check out Emerald City, NBC’s remake of the Wizard of Oz. Matthew Arnold was also a producer on Siberia (also for NBC).
More Reviews
Have any Science Fiction suggestions?
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Should You Buy This Comic Book?
If you are an Amazon Prime member, give Eden a chance. It's free. If you like science fiction comics, it's a must read.