Roche Limit #1 Review
Michael Moreci (writer of Hoax Hunters) and Vic Malhotra (artist for Thumbprint) unite to present Roche Limit, a pulpy neo-noir romp in space described by Image comics as “part 2001: A Space Odyssey and part Blade Runner.” The result is a blend of thrilling and introspective adventure, with moody atmospheres and cinematic visual force, all tied together by an intriguing crime story.
We are introduced to the “Roche Limit Colony,” an isolated Earth settlement stationed next to a mysterious black hole anomaly. Now a degenerate rat hole inhabited by the seediest types, the city is home to our two protagonists: Sonya Torin, a retired cop looking for her sister, and Alex Ford, former family man turned drug dealer who offers to join in the search. Other (yet unnamed) supporting characters make appearances, to reveal hidden connections that hint at the fate of Sonya’s missing kin.
The cast is a celebration of antiheroes, where no one seems to mind getting their hands dirty. People are drugged, tortured, and blown apart, all in the name of personal (occasionally noble) goals. There’s nothing like a hefty helping of interrogations or mayhem to keep the hardboiled fans happy and Moreci serves them up. Yet his true magic happens at the smallest level, imbuing scenes with clever dialogue and unexpected twists. These nuances build colorful characters and, despite learning little about their histories by the issue’s end, I found myself attracted to their plights. A few hitches do stick out (Alex Ford’s weak motivation to help Sonya, for example), but otherwise the narrative comes together cohesively.
To complement the story’s grit, Malhotra employs cyberpunk and dystopia influences in depicting Roche Limit Colony. Alex and Sonya traverse rundown streets lined with neon cocktail signs, homeless mingle with prostitutes outside while the rich elite wine and dine in nightclubs, and everything is bathed in a pale blue luminescence. The art style also includes distinct angles and framing arrangements (like silhouetted side views of characters lined up) to give a noir impression.
Some final things to consider: technology is scarcely featured in both the story and illustrations of Roche Limit, at least for the opening installment. This suggests a direction that favors personal drama rather than futuristic escapades although, as always, it could take a few issues before the series finds decisive footing. And while this first issue focuses on a simple action-driven plot, there is undoubtedly potential for deeper intellectual probing and discussion hidden among the characters’ dour agendas.
Ultimately the series debut is a successful launch, heralding the birth of a fantastic new title that reaches for great heights. There’s excitement, mystery, and tantalizing possibilities for cerebral exploration coming in later developments. The tough decision between choosing a crime actioner or a science fiction yarn at the comic store was a problem of the past. Roche Limit is here now!
Reviewed by Nicholas Wan