My Rating
Rebirth
Sometime, in the not so distant future, man has made several scientific advancements in computer chips and robotics. The moon has been colonized and is used as a jumping point for bold new missions to populate our closest inhabitable planet, Mars. Today is a big day for the researchers at Effington Research and Application, Inc. Dr. Nathan Trace and his daughter Morgana have developed the technology to implant brain chips in living humans, thus aiding paraplegic patients to recover limb movement. The good doctor even theorizes that his chips will eventually link the human mind to computers and robotic bodies.
During a press conference at ERAI, Dr. Trace and his daughter are about to give a demonstration of the brain chip technology implanted in one of their test patients. Behind the scenes the procedure was not as successful as the ERAI’s public relations have led the reporters to believe. As Dr. Trace begins his presentation as an erratic couple pushes their way through the crowd of attendees. These two are the parents of the young boy named Tommy. The mother tries to hold back the father, but it’s too late. The man pulls out a laser pistol from under his coat, takes aim and fires.
Morgana wakes and attempts to look around the advanced hospital room where she lays. Two doctors unknown to her stand over her taking reading from the various monitors next to her bed. Morgana realizes that she is unable to move her lower body. She begins to cry. One of the doctors explains that the laser beam struck her father, burning through his body, then hit Morgana, damaging her spinal cord. Even after hours of microscopic surgery, her mobility will never be the same. When asked, the surgeon gives Morgan the news of her father’s death.
Eighteen months later, Morgan has finished her father’s research and developed the chip technology to circumvent her spinal damage. The brain chip advancements have also enabled humans to move their consciousness to computers and robotic bodies. Morgan Trace has helped advance the technology needed to pioneer the first Mars colony. In two days she will accompany a small team of astronauts 49 million miles into deep space. Mars terragenesis is a go!
Will humanity be able to populate Mars before Earth’s overcrowding causes a complete collapse of society? Will Morgan be able to transfer a complete mind into current computer technology? How strong are the powerhouse robot bodies? Collect the series to find out!
Reviewer Notes
I was a huge fan of First Comics back in the 1980’s as they were one of the big independent publishers of the time. My favorite series was Dynamo Joe, as my favorite genre was the giant mecha robots. You name it – Robotech, Battletech, Voltron, Mazinger, if it had big robots I was in. I recently found out that I was missing three of the first appearances of my beloved Dynamo Joe series. Rushing to Ebay, I picked up the complete run of First Comics “Mars”.
I have to say, I don’t remember this series back then, but I will admit I wasn’t a complete collector nut at that stage in my life, so I just went with what I loved. I have to say, I’m very surprised at this series created by Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel. Mars seems to be an Americanized version of Robotech mixed with the cyberpunk lore that was popular at the time (Johnny Mnemonic, Ghost In the Shell, Blade Runner, etc.). I’m interested to see where this series goes, as the last three issues include Dynamo Joe stories. Does Morgana’s technology help in the development of the giant mecha of that series? I guess I will find out.
I will say up front that the art in this series may not be to some modern reader’s taste. It’s definitely not the mainstream art style of Marvel and DC, and not a Manga clone either. I would say it’s something in the middle. That’s what is awesome about indie comics.
The story is a little clunky at the beginning of the issue. There is a preface inside the front cover that explains some of the development of humanity, but I don’t think it’s enough to immerse us into life on Earth when this story picks up. For that, I’m giving this issue three out of five stars.
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