Review by Ian Keogh

Arks is no ordinary science fiction, that’s for sure, opening with the mythological story of Lilith, alleged first wife of Adam who refused to submit to his will, preferring to consort with demons. Her story is told as we see a naked man hunting for food on a feral planet, yet one that’s obviously seen intelligent life at some stage as he’s created a metal tool.

That’s all supplied in a prologue by R. J. Collins, and it’s not until the first chapter that the extent of his ambition is revealed. Arks concerns the colonisation of a new planet. Lilith’s story is relevant as the name of the woman whose scientific knowledge is responsible for much of the terraforming that’s occurred by the time she’s fully recovered from the journey. Her partner, though, is the less Biblical Joe.

Both Collins on the opening chapter, and Andrew Morris on what follows work digitally, aiming for realism by placing Joe and Lilith among scenery formed from modified photographs, with the Scottish island of Staffa’s almost unique rock formations prominent. It’s very reminiscent of the airbrushed super-realism fans of Heavy Metal loved in the 1970s, but with the colour toned down. Someone’s not been paying attention, though, as a missing limb switches sides, presumably a casualty of flopping an image.

Just as there’s a delicate balance to nature not quite achieved by the scientific stew Joe and Lilith have loosed on their new world, there’s a delicate balance to Arks. Collins prioritises exploration and discovery, but needs some threats to provide action otherwise the entirety would be conversations about progress. Mosquitoes don’t quite account for visual menaces, so something more feral puts in an appearance. The conversations are clever, concerning the science applied and still needed, and why Joe’s memory is impaired, and they’re offset by an occasional reflection of Adam and Eve’s Biblical story.

Two-thirds of the way through there’s a sea change in circumstances with knowledge upgraded, and a new mystery introduced. It was the right time for a change of scenery, and refreshes what was heading toward repetition.

Arks is ambitious and bulging with ideas, the type of cerebral science fiction that doesn’t usually make it to comics. It requires an adjustment of expectation as there enough hints that Collins has a long game in mind, but arriving there is going to take some time, which means Arks isn’t going to be for everyone as intrigue only carries it so far. Those absorbed by the new world and its possibilities are going to be delighted at the extensive explanations of the science in process pages.

Much remains to be explained, though, and a second volume is presumably on the agenda. Arks isn’t circulated via online booksellers, but both digital and physical copies are available from Collins at the delightfully named clickysproutwife.com