What makes writer Antony Johnston one of my absolute favorite storytellers is the way he hooks readers with a familiar genre or premise and then drops you into a completely fresh and original experience, locking the door behind you. Once you’re in, you’re in for the long haul, and THE FUSE looks to be no different.
THE FUSE #1 opens with a good, old fashioned murder mystery. There’s the hook.
Now, it just so happens that the murder in question takes place on a giant energy station that is orbiting 22,000 miles above the earth, and also houses an entire city of a half million people. The city itself is a mystery to the reader, and every scrap of info that Johnston and artist Justin Greenwood gave me in this first issue made me want to know more.
Then there’s the two detectives that are working the case. Klementina Ristovych is a seasoned homicide detective who’s worked in Midway City for years. Her new partner Dietrich just arrived, and their first conversation takes place over the dead body of the murder victim. Right from the start, it’s clear that their relationship will be as interesting to see unfold as anything in this series moving forward.
I’m not going to give away any more of the story from the first issue of THE FUSE, but I am going to recommend it wholeheartedly. Whether you’re a fan of shows like Law & Order and CSI, or you’re looking to be introduced to a new sci-fi setting, this book has you covered. It strikes that balance between the familiar and the unknown that Johnston has become well known for with series like WASTELAND and UMBRAL.
5 out of 5 Mysteries in Spaaaaaaaaaace