Advance Review — There Is Plenty To See In ‘The Eye Collector’ #1

Have you ever read a comic book or watched a movie that was so bizarre that, while you have no idea what is happening or why, you’re still entertained? If so, The Eye Collector is right up your alley.

In this limited series’ first issue, a group of astronauts on their way to the moon encounters the Eye Catcher on the way to the moon. It’s not Neil Armstrong and crew — but rather the Apollo 10 so-called ‘dress rehearsal’ for the moon landing. Can’t remember the names of those astronauts? Don’t expect this book to help. But nomenclature is about the last thing you’ll concern yourself with when reading this chapter.

The titular Eye Collector seems to find these humans fascinating, though we’re not sure why. He tries to help. It tries to make one of the astronaut’s dream of being a hero come true. Beyond that, Jonathan Ball’s script isn’t going to give you many answers. It is entertaining enough, and opens the door for more adventures, such as they are.

The real hero of this issue is artist GMB Chomlchuk, whose illustrations make The Eye Collector come alive. Chomlchuk’s trippy artwork fits well with the out there subject matter but still manages to elevate the story. Chomlchuk also relies on a black-blue-green palette, which gives each page a highly stylized look. It’s unclear if he understands what’s going on any more than the reader, yet he is able to make it more approachable because his work is at once precise as well as ethereal.

Understanding every point of a story — especially in the first chapter — isn’t necessary to enjoying a tale. It certainly helps, but the first issue of The Eye Collector proves that great art can turn even a middling script into something better.

The Eye Collector #1 — written by Jonathan Ball, illustrated by GMB Chomlchuk, and lettered by Lyndon Radchenka — will be available in comic book stores and on digital platforms on June 24th from Image Comics.