Past Aways #1
Story: Matt Kindt
Art: Scott Kolins
Colors: Bill Crabtree
Letters: Rob Leigh
Publisher: Dark Horse
As a fan of the comics medium, it’s a privilege to go into a comic book shop or Comixology and try all the new #1’s. Comics are where ideas are born that translate into tomorrow’s film and television. There’s nothing like them, and lately a lot of science fiction books have debuted; some good, some not so good. Past Aways is Dark Horse Comics latest contribution to the genre.
Written by Matt Kindt, Past Aways is the story of a group of time travelers tasked with recording the events of history. They’re stranded in the 21st century and the strain has splintered the group. Right from the gate, Kindt puts their defects out there for us to see. Detached, distant, suicidal, and conceit are the words that only begin to scratch the surface of these characters. Instead of being united under the goal of returning to their own time, they can barley stand each other. Like any team an event needs to happen to bring them together and issue one sees the beginnings of such a moment. I won’t spoil that for you because it would give away too much.
Scott Kolins brings his energetic art style to these pages. The characters and designs of the futuristic equipment feel kinetic. Even the layouts feel unique, from the effects tying together the panels or the footnotes explaining what we’re seeing, everything has distinct purpose. Where he’s separating himself from his previous work is in how much risqué he’s adding. Naked bodies and acid sh**ting dinosaurs are just some of the weird things you’ll get in Past Aways.
Ultimately, Past Aways is interesting but it throws out so many questions with no answers. Yes, the opening chapter of a book should do that, but it should also give you a reason to want answers. The reasons to care about the characters are missing. It could be due to having everyone crammed into the issue. None of the characters feel like they have any breathing room. A new idea is always welcome but it needs to present the hook right away and it’s just missing from these pages. I’m a fan of Matt Kindt and Scott Kolins, but it feels like the introduction of this story could have used a bit more fleshing out.
