ADVANCE REVIEW: 'Neurocron' #1 by Daniel Powell, Erin Foley-Chan, and Dennis Calero

 

NEUROCRON #1 (OF 4)

(W) Daniel Powell, Erin Foley-Chan 

(A/CA) Dennis Calero

(L) Dezi Sienty

Publisher: Invader Comics

In Shops: Feb 28, 2024

SRP: $5.99

Corruption, greed, and runaway technology have come to a breaking point in the not-too-distant future. When a seemingly random murder in the area known as "Techslum" turns out to be much more than it appears-the corpse is discovered to be "enhanced" with illegal biotech-an even deeper mystery evolves. Investigating FBI agent Vera Morales pulls at the threads,  uncovering the victim's connection to a reclusive techno-cultist, and becomes embroiled in a conspiracy that could very well change the course of human evolution. With all clues pointing to a leading weapons developer, can Vera find him and solve the mystery before humanity as we know it passes the point of no return?

Score: 

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

'Neurocron' #1 by Daniel Powell, Erin Foley-Chan, and Dennis Calero from Invader Comics is a stylish tech-thriller that's part police-procedural and neo-noir mystery. The solicitation pretty much covers the synopsis but the treat is in experiencing the story through its dark shadowy panels and detailed biotech jargon that sounds as invasive and as plausible as any new tech being touted in the present day. This futuristic drama slowly builds upon itself as one event leads to the investigation that broadens the scope and reveals an underworld led by a cultish tech billionaire. Where have I heard that before?

It all starts with a homicide and the victim's unregistered illegal biotech brings the attention of the FBI. Agent Vera Morales begins to unravel the mystery leading her down a path to the rumored whereabouts of an eccentric tech developer. Morales is a brilliant detective and her narration helps to explain this future-world where tech has broadened the disparity between the haves and have-nots. Daniel Powell and Erin Foley-Chan take a deliberate and measured approach to rolling out the story with pacing that allows readers to take in all the information, setting the scene, and heightening the intrigue. It's all the more compelling with the neo-noir aesthetic by the artist.

Dennis Calero has a great understanding of the noir visual style. Since the story seems to take place in perpetual darkness it's a good setting for Calero to deal with black space and playing with shadows and lighting. The Techslum area in particular is a gritty location that calls to mind Times Square in 'Escape from New York.' You only see what Calero wants you to see so the result is a moody, eerie, escalation of perspective that invokes a claustrophobic unease as the investigation delves deeper. It's an effective visual method that maximizes the suspense. 

'Neurocron' is a stylish sci-fi thriller in the category of Blade Runner, Minority Report, and Dark City. A smart and engaging drama that takes readers into a dark future-world of biotech gone wrong. If this is indicative of the quality of storytelling at Invader Comics, then the future is bright, and a treat for comic readers.