Advance Review — ‘Three Moons/Three Worlds: Foundations’ #1 Teases Things To Come … Whatever They May Be
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
This introduction to a planned new universe of stories features amazing artwork, but suffers from stories that border on incomprehensible. The lack of much context allows for only a superficial understanding of what’s happening here. Oh, but that imagery!
Overall
8/10Don’t think of Three Moons/Three Worlds: Foundations #1 as the beginning of a planned comic book saga. Instead, consider it a teaser.
The standalone issue is comprised of three interconnected stories involving astronaut Tajo Vallar. In Fable, Tajo is reading a bedtime story to his young son, before the explorer leaves on a mission. In Ruins, we see that mission fall apart with Tajo being rescued by extraterrestrial beings. The third story, Breathe, deals with his rescue.
Veteran writers Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer provide the mysterious and trippy script. Aside from the setup in the first story and some incomprehensible timelines, you won’t find much in the way of exposition. That’s the point, of course. The mystery is meant to draw readers in as the Three Moons/Three Worlds project evolves over time.
This first printed book was originally offered online to subscribers, whose input helped to steer the direction. So while Hickman and Spencer wrote the stories, it was sort of a collaboration with fans. That doesn’t make the story any stronger, though for those involved in its creation, it may feel more personal.
The real stars of this issue are the artist. Whether or not you care for what’s happening in the script, you cannot deny the beautiful artwork from Mike Huddleston (Fable and Ruins), Mike del Mundo (Ruins), and Jerome Opena (Breathe). All three are at the top of their games here. They build off of one another’s work, leaving you wanting more.
If the story can catch up to the visuals, Three Moons/Three Worlds could end up being a seminal comics event. But even if it doesn’t, we can enjoy the illustrations.
Three Moons/Three Worlds: Foundations #1 — written by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer, illustrated by Mike Huddleston, Mike del Mundo, and Jerome Opena, colored by Matt Hollingsworth, and lettered by Rus Wooton — will be available Wednesday in comic book stores and on digital platforms from Dark Horse.