Advance Review: Struggling For Answers In ‘Hexagon Bridge’ #1

by Tom Smithyman

Overview

Is this book worth your time? That’s a really good question. With strong writing and illustrations, it certainly has the potential to be great. But so is little revealed in the first chapter of this five-part limited series, that it could go either way.

Overall

8/10

If the point of the first chapter in a limited series is to get you curious enough to buy the next issue, Hexagon Bridge has achieved its mission – though in an odd way.

The premiere issue gives away so little in terms of details – and they come so late in the issue – that writing a cogent synopsis without giving away spoilers is pretty difficult. Yet the mystery that writer and Richard Blake presents to readers is a compelling one.

In the first few pages, we meet a woman – later revealed to be Elena – who after slogging through a snowy forest is transported to an outdoor café for coffee. An otherworldly being is curious about her and asks her why she’s there. In another scene, a robot being guided by an unseen navigator uncovers another person, whom we later learn is Jacob.

By the time we learn their names and meet the pair’s kid Adley, we’re more than two-third through the issue. While Blake gives a few answers, he leaves us far more questions. Who are the couple? When is this taking place? Why should we care? And just what the heck is the Hexagon Bridge anyway?

So if you’re looking for instant gratification, this is not the book for you. But as the five-part series plays out, it will hopefully give at least a few more details.

If Blake’s artwork doesn’t give away many more details, at least it’s interesting to look at. Reality often seems to reconstitute itself – possibly thanks to the bridge. His illustrations aren’t overly detailed, at least until the end of the issue, but readers will likely find themselves looking for clues in the art. His use of color is consistent across the issue. He sticks with a neutral palette in every reality. No traditional comic book vibrant blues, yellows and reds here. This is much more of an unassuming reality.

To be honest, with so little exposition in this initial chapter, it’s hard to know whether Blake is onto something there. It has the potential to be outstanding as well as to disappoint. If nothing else, though, it deserves continued reading – which is no small task.