All Against All #1 is published by Image Comics, written by Alex Paknadel and illustrated by Caspar Wijngaard.
Issue #1 is available 7th December 2022 either directly from Image Comics or from your local comic book store, digital copies will be available to download from the usual content providers.
Synopsis
In All Against All, it is the distant future. Earth is long gone, but a race of alien conquerors knows as “the Operators” have preserved its most savage animals in an artificial jungle environment they barely understand. With no bodies of their own, the Operators move from world to world, harvesting bodies for the organic exosuits they use to wage their endless wars. Ignored and underestimated by his captors is the habitat’s sole human specimen, Helpless. However, when their efforts to find and harvest an apex predator intensify, he gives them far more than they bargained for.
Review
In this debut issue we are transported to a time where Earth is no more but thanks to an advanced alien race, The Operators, a new artificial jungle has been created to house some of the most dangerous mammals that Earth could hold, but this is not a zoo more like an alaborate experiment with the potential to go horribly wrong. The Operators are constantly on the look out to find new bodies to harvest for their benefit but the hunt for better and better could well be their own downfall.
A landmark discovery could be the key to unlocking The Operators’ plan but it could also be the start of their demise.
The story for me doesn’t have a clear path and at first I found it a bit confusing at where it was going don’t get me wrong Alex Paknadel has written the story well I’m just a bit unsure of where the path is going, it could well be a foundation maker for the series to come and the story will become clear in the next issues.
The illustrations are fronted by the incredible talents of Caspar Wijngaard and fans of the series Home Sick Pilots will be familiar with the art style here as he has immersed his unique style into this new world. The art is full of dramatic and chaotic tones that highlights the story well bringing Caspar’s trademark passion into each panel illuminating the story and giving the reader a visual treat.
Verdict
Mysterious opening issue, one which I’m not sure I fully grasp just yet. Nonetheless it’s an intriguing story which I hope the following issues will begin to make clearer, developing the story further. As a fan of Wijngaard’s work I was pleased to see him involved here.
⭐⭐⭐
