In SURGE #1, available now from The SuregeSeries.com, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison are more than the scientific rivals of history but mystical keepers of the most powerful force in nature.
The Details
- Written By: Ian Grody
- Art By: Dan Licht
- Cover Art By: Dan Licht
- Cover Price: $8.50
- Release Date: Available Now
Was It Good?
It was okay for an indie comic.
When we review creator-owned (sometimes bootstrapped) comics projects, we steer away from comparisons against the books available from mainstream Western publishers such as DC and Marvel. given the budgets, time, and resources available to a large mainstream publisher, that wouldn’t be a fair comparison.
We assess indie projects against other indie projects available in the market based on the originality of the concept and the quality of the output.
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The concept is intriguing. The Tesla/Edison rivalry is nothing new, but adding a supernatural twist to find a story within the story is always a plus. The story within the story works well here and, by the end of the issue, builds enough curiosity to leave us wondering what happens next.
The art is, to be fair, weak. I don’t want to discourage the artist from continuing to do more, but a comic at this page count with this cover price needs to have some impressive art. What’s presented here needs much more refinement.
As a word of encouragement, the artist has a good eye for camera angles and panel design. The panel placement and progression keeps a good pace and have a flair for the dramatic, which helps with this type of story.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a conflict between mother and son on the island of Pompeii circa 79 A.D. The mother belongs to an order of Keepers who safeguard the power of electricity, known to them as Raad. The son has usurped some of the Keeper knowledge and wants to use it for his own selfish purpose in revenge for his father’s death. The mother tries to stop him and their conflict catalyzes the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Years later, a young Nikola Tesla arrives in America to work for Thomas Edison. Their relationship is (mostly) a matter of public record, and the focus here is Tesla’s almost obsessive need to be recognized and acknowledged by Edison for his genius.
No matter what Tesla does, he can’t seem to get Edison to acknowledge Tesla’s worth.
One night, Tesla is called to an emergency down by the docks. A public display of the first ship to be powered by Edison’s generators is imminent, and they’re failing. Tesla’s genius (and superior) understanding of electronics saves the day.
We conclude the issue with Edison calling Tesla into his confidence for a very special reason.
How Does It End?
Edison has always been keeping an eye on Tesla. Edison has a secret lab. The sleeper has awakened.
Final Thoughts
SURGE #1 takes one of the most intriguing rivalries in scientific history and gives it an original twist. The story is curious enough to hook you for the next issue, but the art needs a fair amount of spit ‘n polish.
Score: 6/10
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