REVIEW: Broken Pieces #1

Together We’re Unstoppable – Part One of Five

Creator & Writer: Mark Roslan
Illustrator: Micah Kaneschiro
Letterer: Josh Reed
Editors: Vince Hernandez & Frank Mastromauro
Publisher: Aspen MLT

A biological bomb was set off in the Gulf of Mexico in 2032 and the United Nation rushes to find a cure for those affected by the fallout before the third anniversary of the detonation. Dr. Gabriella Adams is hired by Trinion Industries to further research and develop a cure based off of her advancements in cellular regeneration.  Will she develop a cure, and is that what Trinion really wants from her?

Broken Pieces is a new series from Aspen that is really a departure from what we have seen from the publisher as it takes a dip in to the sci-fi and thriller style of storytelling.  The sci-fi in this series is a more grounded format with science really being the foundation in which the rest of the story spins out of from the biological weapon used in the Gulf of Mexico to the cellular regeneration research and then steps in to the more familiar sci-fi format with a cadaver returning to life.  All of this mixes well within the pages of this first issue and flows from page to page with solid direction.

If you read the zero issue you will recognize the series’ chronological jumps from time to time that help develop the story from different points in the timeline as well as builds up suspense at times and always provides more questions that keep me, as a reader, wondering what’s next.  I really appreciate the fact that Mark Roslan, the book’s creator and writer, is able to handle all of these writing elements so well.  I will admit there are moments within the issue that things seem to slow down where there is not any action, but more dialogue than anything, but I look back and see the character development and the “human element” that the story is revolving around.  I like that this issue is more of a building block to the events that we read in the zero issue.

The art provided by Micah Kaneschiro is amazing! There is really nothing that I can say other than that Kaneschiro is an artist that people need to take note of here and now because this time next year he’s going to be one of those must-see artists.  The color palette in this issue is very interesting.  I’m not quite sure what to make of it right now.  I like it, but it is definitely not like anything else I’ve seen lately and it really gives this book a unique and fresh look.

Overall, Broken Pieces #1 is a good book from the writing to the art.  I think people who are curious about reading a series from Aspen, but haven’t made that jump yet really should try this series out.  I think it works great as a gateway comic to the company, and it’s just a solid book to be reading anyway.

Writing: 4 out of 5 | Art: 5 out of 5 | Overall: 4.5 out of 5