REVIEW: Medicine takes center stage with ‘Narcopolis: Continuum #1′

The PAST is a DISEASE

One of the beauties of exploring the science fiction genre is the seeming endless possibilities of experimenting every artistic and narrative methodology and/or approach available and push to greater heights without being shackled by existing and/or known scientific laws. Moreover, those possibilities can be frightening if some of these become realities in the future, the set-up of virtually all sci-fi settings. Scott Duvall, Ralf Singh and Nicolas Chapius conceptualize something innovative, if not creative per se, in their not-so-distant-futuristic scenario NARCOPOLIS: CONTINUUM #1, under the Heavy Metal imprint.

The premise is intriguing enough, a drug that can make one literally and figuratively go to the past events and possibly, change the course of history. Imagine if that kind of medicine exists in the near future and attempt, no, alter some of the most controversial, debatable and despicable issues/events in human history (say, in the Philippines’ historical cases, the death of Andres Bonifacio or even the martyrdom of Jose P. Rizal; or in the global context, the 9/11 and the two World Wars). But here, that goal is more of a personal one, guising an altruistic imperative.

Though this new series is adopted/inspired from an independent-made movie in England that carries the same concept, this initial chapter can make one more sympathetic on the primary character, a scientist whose inspirations rooted from his deceased old man, a morally upright and principled police detective who most probably died in the line of duty while he was young. The title itself is a bizarre twist of a possible futuristic look on how the society would have reacted on the legalization and institutionalization of drug addiction, alongside with the countermeasures to combat the so-called “muscles”. The continuing existences of capitalism, oligarchy, alienation, and social divide are illuminating in the first pages that proves they are so deep rooted, even with the new status quo and cultural zeitgeist are mere cosmetics to the base structures installed then. If then religion was considered as the opiate of the masses, and communism is the meth of the intellectuals, then what is then drug should or could be in that possible future?

Moreover, the continuing fascination of time-travelling is getting more interesting for this series focuses on the medicine itself, neither the time-tested time machines nor the inexplicably supernatural, magical or even mutated abilities; just the drug itself. In addition, the continuing human emotional baggage with the past is another element that makes the trope of time-traveling storytelling more engaging and interesting, especially if the person in question is not what s/he seems at all. The protagonist may have good intentions, but like in many sci-fi themes, those ulterior motives can equate to drastic, if not destructive, consequences. Characterization is concerned more on two characters, including the main one. However, the plot is the main mover in this one for doctor’s objectives, brief background, and social interactions are actually condense and the story flows nicely to unravel something revelatory, if not a bit deliberately confusing, since it transforms or shifts to a quasi-noir or crime story.

Since this is just a beginning, the first issue already fills in a couple of red herrings around to make readers thinking, guessing, and predicting whether this fellow goes down the proverbial rabbit hole or otherwise. And, I want to witness the side effects of this newly made drug to the users if the creative team can indulge on that simple reader’s request. Thus, a man with a purpose, a near-future scenario, time-travel, and the fulcrum that binds these all are a guaranteed good science fiction take, and Narcopolis: Continuum possesses good qualities of a sci-fi comic read.

Ralf Singh’s illustrations in the interiors are a mix bag, to be honest. His detailed pencils of the futuristic city are admittedly mesmerizing to view. Even the interiors of the laboratory are highly innovative, particularly the entrance paneling. His facial portrayals, on the other hand, are something of an acquired taste. Yes, the physiological representations are proportional, but the faces and their respective emotional projections are varying to a bit realistic to borderline exaggeration and quirkiness. For examples, the lady assistant’s face is in some panels, well-defined; then the next pages present circular forms. Even the main cast’s faces range from being looked too old due to seriousness in life then in some pages, that fellow looks vibrantly fresh. Yet his sequential paneling and the visual storytelling are his strong points here to make this initial issue more accessible to read, even the presence of some medical and scientific terminologies that can be a bit intimidating to casual readers. Nicolas Chapius’ colors are responsible for illuminating Singh’s drawings actually. Though sometimes too luminous in some panels, his coloring style is very creative and one-of-the-kind, particularly the time-traveling moments and/or appearances. Most perhaps, both Ralf and Nicolas’ artistic styles can be synchronized more and fluidly fused as the story progresses.

Henceforth, Narcopolis: Continuum #1 presents the introductory of the story’s main protagonists and the overall theme. The direction is already set, but the writer cleverly puts elements of detective and suspense narrative storytelling to put readers off-guard on the potentialities of the obviousness. Let’s face it, time-travelling is already explored, but here, medicine takes center stage and becomes the instrumentality of the possibilities and consequences in the near possible futuristic scenario or two. This is a fascinating read.

Narcopolis: Continuum #1 will be released on December 30th, 2015. Find it at your nearest local comic book stores.