I'm in a comic hyperfixation at the moment, partly sparked by getting lost in Saga and partly due to my AuDHD being out of control due to the medication shortages, which means I've had some real highs and lows with comics recently. Oblivion Song is absolutely one of the highs!.

Ten years ago a sci-fi event took place, the Transference, that caused a chunk of Philadelphia got shunted into another dimension along with everyone in it. This dimension is giving the realm where the creature from The Mist originate, Lovecraftian monsters, deadly titans, and strange, moldy jungle. Those shunted into this dimension live in this post apocalyptic nightmare, mourned by their loved ones and abandoned by the government. One man, aided by his tiny team of scientists, singlehandedly works to bring people back, while he desperately searches for his brother.

This is a wonderful premise that is backed up with some great writing, characters with actual depth, and a thoughtful, mature, and heartbreaking approach to the serious themes this comic explores. Grief, obsession, and post traumatic stress disorder being chief among these elements as people are forced to confront their loved ones being lost, possibly dead, without closure. There is the cold fact that the government doesn't care and you are all but helpless if they are opposing you on your own (together we are stronger than any authority). The government connection also crestes tension between the protagonist and his partner. There is the difficulty adjusting to normal life and the question whether that is something those who have been living a certain way for a decade even want to do.

There's a lot going on and it's messy and human and rich and feels very real and emotionally engaging, which is what I am desperate for in fiction. There's a depth and tension I truly didn't expect, but this being Kirkman of The Walking Dead (hey, it's not his fault the show is so awful) perhaps I shouldn't have been. I truly believe science fiction and fantasy are at their best when they explore want it means to be human and the difficulties of our lives now, albeit through weird, epic, and abstracted means, and this really provides that. It's also filled with bizarre, dangerous creatures and very pretty art too.

I don't always have a lot to say after reading a comic and sometimes I realise there is a lot less to them upon finishing, but my appreciation for Oblivion Song has only increased in reflecting on it. I can only hope the other volumes and unfolding story sre this good! ( )

I got the first 4 of these graphic novels cheap in a lot, but was kind of disappointed to find out there are 6 so if I want to finish it, I'll need to pick up those last 2. The art is definitely my thing, but I do like the monsters and plot and where it seems to be going so will definitely keep on reading. ( )

Interesting new series by Robert Kirkman, but I’m not madly in love with the artwork. It’s quite different from Outcast or The Walking Dead, which is my favorite of Kirkman’s stuff. The inter-dimensional travel angle is nifty. I’m curious to see what comes next. ( )

I thing this plot is very interesting. ( )

This didn't do a hell of a lot for me, despite having been told by several people that this series is "really good."

To me, it's a paint-by-numbers set up. Bad thing happened. Only one guy is driven to save everyone for reasons (this time, it's an asshole brother). You've got the trying-to-understand girlfriend who is left in the dark on some things. You've got the tortured co-worker who was once over there. And then, of course, you've got the brother.

Kirkman seems to go for the sketchy-style artists, and it works on The Walking Dead, let so on Outcast, and here, not at all. I'd like to see him change that up a bit.

I'll likely give volume two a chance, to see if he can pull a rabbit out of his hat, but overall, severely underwhelmed so far. ( )