Primordial #1

Primordial #1 combines a sharp script and eye-melting artwork for a sci-fi mystery that's immensely engaging. I cannot wait to read future issues, and I recommend this series to any fans of science fiction or the work of Lemire & Sorrentino. Read Full Review

On one level Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino's 'Primordial' #1 is a classic Cold War thriller in the making. But it's also far more ambitious than that, with a sci-fi storyline at its heart and visuals evoking '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Primordial #1 is one part John le Carr and another part Arthur C. Clarke. Read Full Review

For a creative team this brilliant, it really means something to say that they are at the top of their game. But sure enough, PRIMORDIAL #1 sees Jeff Lemire, Andrea Sorrentino, Dave Stewart and Steve Wands doing some of their best work! Read Full Review

If you're even remotely into Cold War, space race, or science fiction titles in general, then I think this is a series that will drag you in from the first page. I also think that if the series maintains the same high quality as this first issue has then I certainly think were going to have another series as good as Gideon Falls, Department of Truth, or Blue in Green on our hands. Read Full Review

In addition to an intriguing premise, Primordial #1 brings ambitious and innovative comics storytelling from artist Andrea Sorrentino and writer Jeff Lemire in a story that's as much about the present as the past in its examination of humanity's place on Earth and amongst all living things. Read Full Review

Creative, intense, beautiful. Andrea Sorrentino is a masterclass. Perfect for fans of the horror in Gideon Falls and the suspense of James Tynion IVs Department of Truth. Read Full Review

All in all, sci-fi fans, Lemire fans, Sorrentino fans, Image fans, this is a must buy. This is an incredible start to a series and will be one that you'll want to start and stay current with. I know I will be. Read Full Review

Primordial #1 is a pitch-perfect first issue. Lemire and Sorrentino are among the best working tandems in comics, and this book is another example of that. Their work in this book is brilliant; joined by Stewart and Wands, theyve created something special with this book. Read Full Review

Primordial #1 is a superbly constructed opener from start to finish playing on the cold war erathriller angle on one hand while Sorrentino's mindbendingly constructed space journey pagesdeftly play on the psyche heightening the tension and driving home the alternative sci-fielements very reminiscent of Kubrick's visuals in 2001 A Space Odyessy on the other. Read Full Review

Primordial #1 possesses a very exciting and intense sense of discovery and exploration that rests on the notion that secrets and conspiracies can generate quite a set of sense-shattering images. It's a supreme example of what can be achieved with visual storytelling and how comics can offer narrative possibilities other mediums can only hope to imagine. Read Full Review

If youre a fan of alternate history, conspiracy thrillers, or bizarre science fiction, youll want to pick up a copy of Primordial #1. Its equal parts 2001: A Space Odyssey and All the Presidents Men, and it's totally fresh. Read Full Review

Overall, Primordial #1 is a terrific read that does its job perfectly. Primordial will have you hooked from panel to panel. With elements of suspense, mystery and intrigue, Lemire and Sorrentino are once again firing on all cylinders. Read Full Review

As a first issue, it starts with a couple of pages of shocking, psychedelic images before settling into a standard cold war thriller. The final ten pages pick up the table and toss it out of the room taking you on a bonkers trip through space and time. Read Full Review

'Primordial' #1 is an enticing read that will suck you in. There's no escaping Lemire's spider web and the hypnotic art by Sorrentino and Stewart. Resistance is futile for this conspiracy thriller that's built on style and substance. Prepare to go down the rabbit hole willingly.  Read Full Review

If youve read any Cold War conspiracy story youve read this, but the real make or break moment will come from what you think of the artwork. Read Full Review

If you are going into this series thinking we are getting a repeat of Gideon Falls it is important to realize that is not the case. That series was drenched in a horror mystique but that is not the case here. This is more like if the X-Files was directed by David Lynch as the story progresses things become more and more surreal. Capturing that type of tone is no easy feat. It is one thing in a film to establish a surreal atmosphere when you have the aid of score and sound. Here everything is done visually and to great effect. Read Full Review

Primordial #1 does a lot right, and at the same time leaves something to be desired. Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino are a dynamite team who have proven themselves time and time again, so I have no doubt this story will develop into something special. As it stands it's gorgeous, compelling, and has an amazing premise. The art is not without issues, but the talent is undeniable. Keep your eye on this one. Read Full Review

Striking if quiet, Primordial #1 is a book that presents a huge scale and a self-assured atmosphere of importance. Read Full Review

Primordial #1 had some great ideas but lacked an engaging main character to hook us into the story. Read Full Review

omnicitycomics

Sep 15, 2021

Primordial by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino is the comic that fills the void of a particular sub-genre that's been missing among all of the amazing comic books out. A political thriller with a conspiracy at the heart of it, along the lines of The Department of Truth, but with a focus on the cosmic. A political-cosmic thriller if you will. Set in the 1960s in an alternative universe where events have a slightly different outcome. Richard Nixon defeated John F. Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election - leading to a different path for the space race between the United States and Russia. Our main character, Doctor Donald Pembrook arrives at Cape Canaveral in 1961 under the impression that he's on a top secret mission at the forefront of a restarted space program. Instead, what he finds are the remnants of it and his mission: a clean-up job. Confused and disillusioned as he holds a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT, Pembrook begins to work. He is later approached by an individual also working on the clean up. He hands Pembrook vital sign read outs of the two primates that were sent to space. Those two monkeys were Able and Baker, and in this universe they never returned. Pembrook analyzes the data and makes a shocking discovery. He places a call to a General Talbot wanting to urgently discuss what he discovered. Instead, Talbot hangs up and the following day Pembrook finds himself dismissed from the project. When he gets back in his car, a mysterious individual is waiting for him inside. What he tells Pembrook about what really happened to Able, Baker, and...others sets the stage for what is sure to be a story filled with mind bending discoveries. Full disclosure: I have an inherent bias when it comes to Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino teaming up. Some of my favorite comics have been created by this duo. With that said, I truly believe this is a comic that you want to get your hands on. The tone and mood of a political thriller taking place in the 1960s is perfectly captured by Lemire's dialogue and pacing. Sorrentino's art is surreal and eerily ethereal at times. It's so satisfying how he captures the otherworldly feeling and vastness of space. Read Primordial and join Doctor Donald Pembrook as he uncovers the secrets of what really happened on the mission to space. more

DDJamesB

Sep 21, 2021

For a #1 its a great start. It gets you hooked and thats all I can ask for. Plus the art is super trippy and it makes the book feel really mysterious.

Blubber1976

Oct 16, 2021

A revisionist history of the space race from Lemire and Sorrentino. Well paced with trickled exposition and beautiful Quitely-esque art in the final pages.

Loafy Trophy

Sep 15, 2021

Really intriguing story, fantastic hook at the end. All of the Sorrentino art was stimulating as usual, but I was particularly fond of the Pink Floyd homage. Excited to see what the dream team of Lemire, Sorrentino and Stewart has in store for us the rest of the way.

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• WhistleBlower
• omnicitycomics
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omnicitycomics - Sep 15, 2021

I love that Pink Floyd homage as well. Can't wait for the next issue.

Hellblazer

Sep 15, 2021

A quite predictable first half but the ending was unexpected.

ComicWorm

Sep 15, 2021

It has some interesting elements, but it falls short of becoming completely engaging. The art style had a distinct look to it. The surprising ending sparked my interest enough to make me eagerly anticipate for the next issue.

Gizmo

Sep 20, 2021

The premise is interesting but there's not a lot to go off of yet to make an assessment as a reader.

pizzamain

Jan 02, 2022

this seems real dumb but i guess I'm sticking on for the next issue so who's the idiot now