From writer Scott Hoffman (Nostalgia Wag, Scissor Sisters member) and artist Alberto Ponticelli (Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.) comes a fantastic blend of Cyberpunk science-fiction and Cronenberg-ian body horror in Warm Fusion #1. With painfully relevant themes, a sharply handled blend of genres, and phenomenal, atmospheric visual work, Warm Fusion looks to be another stellar new story from comics publisher DSTLRY.
“Half a century into the future, New York City has been devastated by crime, ongoing storms, residual radiation from a terrorist attack, and genetic mutations spurred by the medical innovations created in response. After a series of murders rip through the city’s brothels, an escort named Vin Young, who cosplays as the Brothers Grimm’s Snow White—and is one of the generation of deformed victims—pursues the killer, or killers, reluctantly joining forces with Jarrod Hannover, the lone cop assigned to the case. The two eventually arrive at a biotech megacorp developing a cellular metal called Warm Fusion—a pioneering technology meant to replace prosthetics limbs—and soon confront the sociopathic scientist Nicholas Fleischer, his monstrous alter-ego, Mr. Barnaby, and the hideous monster that he’s been secretly developing.”
Writing & Plot
Scott Hoffman brings together a batch of notable influences to create something intelligent and unique in Warm Fusion #1. The procedural detective story pulls from sources like Blade Runner and Shadowrun, paying homage to past genre icons while blending into this wholly new environment. The sense of fear and destitution throughout the comic is made palpable on every page, and through the eyes of every character. Hoffman pens these news reports that Vin, one of the protagonists, listens to while on the subway. These reports describe a New York ripped apart by fear and trauma stemming from some unknown series of events in this universe’s past. This is yet another Cyberpunk genre staple, and it feels frighteningly real in our own reality. They main story is segmented into three different perspectives – Detective Hannover’s investigation, Vin Young’s experiences as an escort and her growing paranoia surrounding the murders, and tech billionaire Nicholas Fleischer’s development of a new product – and the twisted acts he commits to achieve his goals. All three of these intertwined stories are equally compelling, from Hannover’s noir-styled notes, Vin’s detached commentary on her reality, and Fleischer’s utter derangement. Every bit of dialogue comes off as naturalistic and compelling to read, all while crafting a sort of dream-like haze surrounding the grime and filth their world is covered in. The body horror elements start off like any other gore-horror affair before turning into a medically-fused nightmare, giving readers a nice shock of bloody terror in their science fiction read. Scott Hoffman’s writing here is brilliant, and starts Warm Fusion off strong with one hell of a script.
Art Direction
Alberto Ponticelli’s detailed and thoughtfully directed visual work brings the dystopian cyberpunk vision of New York to life in Warm Fusion #1. His character work is reflective of the kind of diverse figures we often see in this brand of sci-fi, from 2077 to Total Recall. The streets are littered with struggling, armed denizens and the trash they leave behind. These street-level visions contrast with the polished and sanitized offices that Fleischer and his staff work in, letting the irony of the story hit readers in a subtle way. Ponticelli’s direction lets the story flow perfectly, letting each moment have breathing room and feel important. Tense conversation scenes among the sex workers transition to the floating, dissociative sequences of Vin while she’s working. The detective sequences with Hoffman are directed with the look of a noir mixed with a police procedural, complete with flashing red and blue lights through the rainy, foggy haze of an urban alleyway. The horror sequences carry all the gore and tension of an actual horror comic, complete with visions of dismemberment and a terrifying visage with Mr. Barnaby (seriously, what a mask). There’s an intentional messiness to Ponticelli’s work here that fits perfectly with the tone of the story, and how he shifts from moments of dreamy dissociation to pure terror. This is a stellar vision of cyberpunk brought to the comics medium.
Verdict
Warm Fusion #1 is a phenomenal debut issue, and yet another fantastic story from DSTLRY publishing. Scott Hoffman’s script is thematically rich and compelling, blending sci-fi noir and horror in expert fashion. Alberto Ponticelli’s visuals bring this grimy dystopia to life in equally stellar form, with his pencils and hazy colors pulling readers in to the pages with ease. Be sure to get to your local comic shop to preorder this new #1 ahead of FOC on October 28th!
