Boom! Studios' Cluster #1 is a new sci-fi action series wherein convicted criminals can serve the M.I.D. (Military Inmate Deployment) in place of a prison sentence. Doing so is no easy way out however. Fifteen years of strict rules, grueling physical training, and perilous war with unforgiving alien races await them.
Now, let's see how the beginning of writer Ed Brisson and illustrator Damian Couceiro's "Dirty Dozen in space" turned out!
There's no denying that the overall premise of Cluster has a great hook. Brisson doesn't waste too much time over-explaining it, either; a simple tagline on the credit page gives you everything you need to know. Lead-character Samara Simmons receives a tiny backstory tease before we're thrust right into day-one of the latest M.I.D. recruits' training. The pages that follow lean on a multitude of derivative elements, i.e. the hard-ass instructor seen above. At one point there's even a prison cafeteria brawl!
While these moments are great for introducing the characters, I can imagine some readers feeling the book doesn't present enough original scenarios. My only real gripe with the writing lies in the sometimes abrupt transitions however. One in particular actually had me checking to make sure I hadn't skipped over a page. Perhaps it's passé, but the occasional "Meanwhile at the Hall of Justice"-style narration would've worked wonders.
Otherwise, Brisson keeps the book chugging along at a nice pace. The individual scenes stay within 3 to 5 pages long, allowing the story to cover a lot of ground fairly quickly. The ending follows a well-paced action scene, giving the obligatory cliffhanger plenty of impact.
Damian Couceiro's artwork does a lot to help Cluster shine, and the quality is consistent throughout. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking about the layouts, but what he does within each panel is highly effective. The small hint of backstory that opens the issue is downright cinematic. The characters themselves are impressive as well, with distinct appearances and personalities. Consider me a fan!
While aspects of Cluster #1 are reminiscent of other stories, it brings those influences together into a highly compelling plot. Most of the iffier elements are easy enough to brush aside given the excellent illustration. There's plenty of potential here overall, but I'm not sure I've been drawn in enough to consider the book a "must-read" just yet.
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