Eugenic #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Eryk Donovan
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Eugenic #1 marks the beginning of the end for the Apocalyptic Trilogy by the duo, James Tynion IV and Eryk Donovan. The first two books were Memetic and Cognetic but the books are only linked thematically so new readers can jump into this story head first. Just like those books Eugenic is comprised of three over-sized issues priced at $5.99. Eugenic is a story set in a world where a disease has ravaged the population and a scientist becomes a hero over night when he discovers a vaccine. Everything goes back to normal, until the vaccinated population starts having babies who are, not normal. It’s an anitvaxers worst nightmare.
Eugenics is the idea that the human population can be made stronger and healthier through controlled breeding. It’s got an ugly connotation to it due to the fact that it is mostly associated with racist propaganda. The first issue takes this idea and runs wild with it. We are introduced to the world before the eugenesis, which is when the strange babies started being born. There is nothing too out there introduced here yet and the world is kept grounded. We see a world that’s full of hate and racism, not unlike our own. The disaster and crisis only exacerbate this hate and racism. These perceived have made this world an ugly place.
SPOILERS
The main character in this issue, Doctor Cyrus Crane, uses this as an opportunity to not only cure the population of the MDV disease but also to “cure” racism and hate. He hid within each vaccine a way to alter the dna of any offspring. These offsprings will be healthier and stronger than the normal humans. They will also be purple, be of equal intelligence, not be attracted to the same gender, and have randomized features that will prevent anyone from idolizing a specific look. That’s the twist at the end but the story does have another twist that I won’t spoil here.
Doctor Crane was only trying to cure racism but created, what looks like monsters instead. It’s an interesting concept and play with the idea that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Doctor Crane’s reasoning is fully explained but we still see some counter-points brought up. How does a privileged, white male have any right to “cure” racism? He comments to a black character that he never has to worry about a black child being judged by the color of his skin only for him to angrily reply that it’s because there won’t be any more black children We have yet to see how this new world looks and next issue will have a 200 year time jump providing an opportunity to see the full ramification of Doctor Crane’s actions. While I am excited to see the world in 200 years, when it has ample time to become something unique, it is frustrating that it’s at the sake of any characters. We have zero connection to any characters and while the world is intriguing, I feel like it hard to care too much when we don’t really know anyone nor have any character to root for.
The story is billed as a horror story and Donovan provides some great art work, especially with the Cronenburg inspired creations. There is also a particularly gruesome scene that he brings to life.
Overall, it’s an intriguing story with a ton of potential. I will definitely stick around till the end. That said, the story seems to take priority over characters and a high price tag is hard to swallow.
Artist: Eryk Donovan
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Eugenic #1 marks the beginning of the end for the Apocalyptic Trilogy by the duo, James Tynion IV and Eryk Donovan. The first two books were Memetic and Cognetic but the books are only linked thematically so new readers can jump into this story head first. Just like those books Eugenic is comprised of three over-sized issues priced at $5.99. Eugenic is a story set in a world where a disease has ravaged the population and a scientist becomes a hero over night when he discovers a vaccine. Everything goes back to normal, until the vaccinated population starts having babies who are, not normal. It’s an anitvaxers worst nightmare.
Eugenics is the idea that the human population can be made stronger and healthier through controlled breeding. It’s got an ugly connotation to it due to the fact that it is mostly associated with racist propaganda. The first issue takes this idea and runs wild with it. We are introduced to the world before the eugenesis, which is when the strange babies started being born. There is nothing too out there introduced here yet and the world is kept grounded. We see a world that’s full of hate and racism, not unlike our own. The disaster and crisis only exacerbate this hate and racism. These perceived have made this world an ugly place.
SPOILERS
The main character in this issue, Doctor Cyrus Crane, uses this as an opportunity to not only cure the population of the MDV disease but also to “cure” racism and hate. He hid within each vaccine a way to alter the dna of any offspring. These offsprings will be healthier and stronger than the normal humans. They will also be purple, be of equal intelligence, not be attracted to the same gender, and have randomized features that will prevent anyone from idolizing a specific look. That’s the twist at the end but the story does have another twist that I won’t spoil here.
Doctor Crane was only trying to cure racism but created, what looks like monsters instead. It’s an interesting concept and play with the idea that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Doctor Crane’s reasoning is fully explained but we still see some counter-points brought up. How does a privileged, white male have any right to “cure” racism? He comments to a black character that he never has to worry about a black child being judged by the color of his skin only for him to angrily reply that it’s because there won’t be any more black children We have yet to see how this new world looks and next issue will have a 200 year time jump providing an opportunity to see the full ramification of Doctor Crane’s actions. While I am excited to see the world in 200 years, when it has ample time to become something unique, it is frustrating that it’s at the sake of any characters. We have zero connection to any characters and while the world is intriguing, I feel like it hard to care too much when we don’t really know anyone nor have any character to root for.
The story is billed as a horror story and Donovan provides some great art work, especially with the Cronenburg inspired creations. There is also a particularly gruesome scene that he brings to life.
Overall, it’s an intriguing story with a ton of potential. I will definitely stick around till the end. That said, the story seems to take priority over characters and a high price tag is hard to swallow.
A Look Inside
