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Comic Title: Neon Future Volume #1
Publisher: Impact Theory Comics
Story: Tom Bilyeu, Jim Krueger, Steven Aoki, Matt Colon, Dana Brawer, Samantha Levenshus
Publisher: Impact Theory Comics
Story: Tom Bilyeu, Jim Krueger, Steven Aoki, Matt Colon, Dana Brawer, Samantha Levenshus
Pencils: Neil Edwards, Jheremy Raapack
Inks: Keith Champagne
Colors: Abraham Lee, David Kim, Nuo Xu, Gabe Eltaeb, Anthony Washington
Letters: A Larger World Studios, Farhad Heydarian, Samantha Levenshus, Clem Robins
Covers: Jheremy Raapack, Neil Edwards, Kim Jung Gi, Mau Lencinas

As NYCC 2019 approaches, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit one of my favorite discoveries from the convention last year. Envisioned by creators Steve Aoki and Tom Bilyeu as three distinct six-issue arcs, Neon Future has been a monumental undertaking for upstart Impact Theory Comics. In its execution readers will find an expertly refined distillation of creative synergy that establishes ITC as a rising star in independent comics publishing. It has been a pleasure for me to return this world at the culmination of the first series, as the narrative itself is an inventive allegory on introspection and personal growth masquerading as an action packed science fiction spectacle. While it stumbles through some obvious tropes along the way, Neon Future never succumbs to the banality or cynicism of your average dystopian yarn and it is sincere in its optimism without oppressive homiletics.

Beginning with the apparent death of protagonist Clay Campbell, the comic tracks the anti-Augmented poster boy and national hero from rock bottom to his rebirth as an pro-Augmented activist. Campbell’s transformation is painted against the backdrop of a national moratorium on human augmentation to forestall rampant automation of labor and production sectors and the subsequent economic decline.  Along the way he is guided decisively by subversive pacifist mastermind Kita Sovee and his titular resistance group Neon Future. With their help Kita intends to secure social and economic equality for his fellow Augmented while the opposition, an increasingly fascistic and highly militarized authoritarian regime, enacts an unmitigated reign of terror in retaliation for Clay’s death. Beneath this central conflict, Clay struggles with leaving behind the only life and identity he’s ever known and discovering where his path forward will lead.  

Believing Campbell is the key to minimizing collateral damage and bridging the gap to the indifferent, technophobic Authentic masses, Kita risks everything on his potential. However, no revolution can be won without sacrifice. Along his journey, Clay repeatedly finds that the cost of change, both external and internal, is unwavering resolve and a commitment to cast aside complacency and self doubt. Intellectual violence goes hand-in-hand with this ethos, and the conflagration of ideas and ideals sometimes manifests within Kita’s artificial Neon Garden construct. As with so many of the enthralling visual flourishes in these books, Kita’s Matrix-like terminal interface is wonderfully rendered and reflects the plethora of design influences the reader will encounter throughout the series. The successful marriage of design and narrative here are inspiring, because the work always flows back to character.

Neon Future really is a masterfully cohesive realization of this particular redemptive arc. Though not entirely without missteps, Clay Campbell’s story is an impressive first effort from Impact Theory Comics. I personally would have appreciated more elucidation concerning the impact of Clay’s apparent death on his family and the colleagues he left behind. Also, the oppressive CTG come across as woefully one-note StormTrooper stand-ins, particularly tech hunter and racial caricature EZ. I’m surprised the man doesn’t carry a pimp cane. Such quibbles are only mildly distracting. The overall quality of the project  remains first-rate. And that isn’t surprising, as a notable collection of new and veteran comic talent have come together to craft something truly special in Neon Future. For those looking to dive in with both feet, volume one will be available as a graphic novel on October 2.

For more information on the inception of Neon Future, check out my original review of Issue #1, as well as interviews with writer Jim Krueger and Neon Future co-creator and co-founder of Impact Theory Comics, Tom Bilyeu.     

Christian Davenport
Cable201@comicattack.net