Get ready to learn with this edition of Do You Even Comic, Think Tank.
Before you read the review here is a link to read issue one by Matt Hawkins from Top Cow, for free; Think Tank #1
Creator(s)
Matt Hawkins- Writer @topcowmatt
Rahsan Ekedal- Artist @RahsanEkedal
The Book
Published in 2012 by Top Cow and solicited as a limited series is now on its 4 volume by creative team Matt Hawkins and Rahsan Ekedal.
The story follows Dr. David Loren who is a wunderkind and brilliant young man of science on top of being inventor, genius, slacker... mass murderer. He is the military think tank’s smartest scientist and decides he can no longer stomach creating weapons of destruction. Dr. David Loren, employed by DARPA and working as weapon designer, he has made him disillusioned.
Will he be able to think his way out of his dilemma or find himself subject to the schemes of a corrupt system and tool for absolute power.
You might have heard this before, our government can't be trusted and is secretly evil but never have you read a book like Think Tank .A plot driven by real science and possibilities where the question is asked, What if these weapons or technologies were misused? Volume one has the series almost heading into world war 3 and it is a brilliant read. The books believability has you reading every word til the end.
To put it simply Think Tank is science, humor and an intelligent plot.
Why this Book?
I grabbed this because I saw a Top Cow panel at Emerald City Comic Con 2014 and saw Matt Hawkins talking passionately about this project. More than that I gave it a read since it was the supernatural element of Top Cow I had normally seen.
What made me enjoy this book was Dr. David Loren, he is kind of like Tony Stark without the frat ego or alcoholism, he's a nerd and owns it. The character is an inventor but not how the inventions are being used. While trying to get free from the corruption he is thrust into being a hero for his freedom and the lives of millions of people.
Yes, a few changes in characters happen between the issues might have you playing catch up but this is a minor gripe. I can connect to David’s life in the sense that he is stuck in a job that he no longer agrees with and I think we have all been there.
Ekedal’s art has a level of detail and care that has you looking and following every panel. The facial expressions and action scenes are especially worth paying attention to. On top of that there are pop culture references to Star Wars, Obi Wan with things like the “suggestion gas” which are a fun nod.
Matt Hawkins distills military and science is a digestible read and as the book suggests with it’s warning, “it might make you smarter,” I did feel smarter after having read this book.
Lastly I truly enjoy the fact that Matt Hawkins did this project simply because he wanted to, it has gone to be well received and my favorite Top Cow series.
I encourage you to check out the “Science Class” breakdowns at the end of the book where the technology referenced is discussed. Hawkins also leaves details to the sources of the technology weapons that already exist or have been tested. I love that a book based in heavy science is also very strong in detail as it should be.
Book:
Bonus
As a bonus I (Logan) did and interview with one of the creators, and President of Top Cow Matt Hawkins and I truly felt like I learned so much from with brilliant and well spoken human.