The Empty #1

By Jimmie Robinson

It’s quite ambitious to handle every aspect of a comic from the script to the lettering. Jimmie Robinson has tasked himself with these responsibilities in The Empty. In a world where giant parasitic roots are making the landscape a barren wasteland, a strong forager/hunter discovers an unknown being who has the unnatural ability to make life fruitful once again. Of course, there are those who fear change and the unfamiliar…

Robinson has developed an interesting story supported with decent artwork. Although the opening scene probably would have been better left off the issue because it was unnecessary exposition that would have enhanced the mystery of the being Lila. The hunter Tanoor is a refreshingly strong female character who takes center stage, despite her being scantily wrapped in bandages…One step forward, two steps back. There are some obvious biblical allusions in this book, but none that are overtly blatant.

Interestingly, Jimmie shows the dichotomy between Lila and Thanoor in his artwork. The clear ones are, of course, the physical appearances of the races and the appearance of the lands they both hail from. What was most interesting though is the difference in how he inked/colored the two settings. When in Lila’s land, the inking is less, but more defined and the colors are vibrant and crisp. In the scenes in the Empty, there is more detail and softer inks. The colors are also muted and give a dry feel to imagery. This in-depth execution adds complexity to the material, intentional or not.

This is the premiere issue, so it shouldn’t be judged too harshly. There are clear negatives with this title, but it does show promise. It warrants at least a couple issues to develop and allow Robinson to round out the rough edges.