Series: Ei8ht
Published by Dark Horse Comics Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller
Joshua is a chrononaut, sent back in time and space to destroy a man he’s never met. His motivation: his dying wife, whose treatment is guaranteed if he accomplishes this task. He understands this could be a suicide mission, leaving him no hope of returning. Unfortunately, his journey leaves him with memory loss, no recollection of his identity, his whereabouts, or his purpose for being there.
His craft lands him in realm known as the Meld, which seems to defy time and space. It is unknown exactly how people arrive in this…dimension of sorts. Thousands have been decimated due to a disease known as the scourge. As we follow Joshua in his quest for knowledge, the reader uncovers the evil origins of this plaque, the history behind the Meld, and most importantly, unlock the mysteries of Joshua’s memory.
Ei8ht is told in a non-linear format. Rather than adding text to differentiate between the timeline, Albuquerque uses color, forcing the reader to genuinely pay attention to the artwork as to not lose their path. His use of exaggerated facial expressions in his exceptional artwork allows the reader to feel the emotion, the devastation and desperation of the characters. For that is what this series is about, as a whole. Desperation and determination, all told in a fully engaging way.
The reader has no insight into what is to come. This series is a mystery on many levels, a mystery to understand the story behind the Meld but also one to regain Joshua’s memory.
This five-issue story arc is incredibly compelling. Those new to the series are fortunate in that the can buy all of the issues now (or wait until the fall when the trade is released). I had the unfortunate task of waiting impatiently as each issue was released.
While there are many comic series that try to do the whole time-travel thing (many times, unsuccessfully), these two co-writers are able to pull it off brilliantly, adding a completely unique spin to the story. I’m intentionally vague in the description (and the images of the panels themselves) as I feel this should be discovered by the reader themselves.
All in all, Ei8ht is a truly remarkable sci-fi/mystery/thriller. I can’t wait to see where Albuquerque and Johnson take us next!
Check out the other episodes of Reading Through Comics, Alphabetically:
Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn
Broken World by Frank J. Barbiere
Chrononauts by Mark Millar & Sean Gordon Murphy
Descender by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen
