Huh, huh, huh, hey baby!

So I’m finally reading the Mass Effect: Invasion comics, as I knew there are four in the series I waited until I had them all before I delved in, and of course you get the annoying ads every other page. But one ad in particular kept grabbing my attention, a comic titled Orchid. The person who wrote the story was familiar to me but I just couldn’t put my finger on it, where do I know that name from? It wasn’t until I started to write Does Album Art Matter Anymore? that it finally clicked. It was the guitarist from Rage Against The Machine, Tom Morello. Of course I now had to buy this comic book just out of curiosity and at an advertised price of $1.00, how could I refuse?

When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Human settlements are ringed by the wild, from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high grounds belongs to the rich and powerful, who over-look swampland and shantytowns from their fortresslike cities. Iron-fisted rule ensues order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

Tom is the co-founder (along with Serj Tankian of System of a Down) of the non-profit political activist organization, Axis of Justice, and so the subject matter in the comic books does reflect his political and social views. This does not distract you from the story but adds depth and realism to the two main characters. Simon, a member of the rebellion against a dictator, and Orchid, a prostitute slave. The tone of the story is quickly set as Simon and his comrades are chased by guards after they had stolen a mask rumored to give tremendous but perilous power to the one who wore it. One of the rebellion members is quickly decapitated and another is killed horribly by the mask as only the chosen ones can wear it.

I want ice-cream!

By the end of the first issue Simon and Orchid meet and an adventure is set in motion. Morello has created a rich and diverse world filled with man-eating plants and house-sized bears with scorpion stingers for tails. These mutations have come about from the rising seas which were full of chemical waste, mutating life at the genetic level, creating creatures from our darkest nightmares.

Four issues have currently been printed with #5 due in March. Twelve issues are set to be released in total and I look forward to more great tension filled dialogue between Simon and Orchid. Whether they end up being romantically involved with one another remains to be seen, but they do have chemistry which is hard to ignore.

New characters are not introduced too quickly and they are also well written and rememberable. The art is fantastic, vivid and sometimes disturbing. It successfully draws you into their world helping you to understand and care about Simon and Orchid’s situation.

I’ve only ever read comic books based around games so this was a nice change and a great introduction into a new world. I just hope I don’t get pulled in too deep into the world of comics as I am nerdy enough as it is.

One more interesting note is that with each issue you are given a code to enter onto Tom’s acoustic solo act website nightwatchmanmusic.com where you will be able to download his latest music, an unexpected but very much welcome addition to an already great piece of writing.

I highly recommend this comic book and if you can still find the first issue, get it and be prepared to be sucked into a world that we too could find ourselves in the distant future. A world where the wealthy rule, the poor are treated like slaves and where people have no respect for one another…….oh wait….

Publisher – Dark Horse Comics

Story by – Tom Morello

Art by – Scott Hepburn

Colors by – Dan Jackson