Kenneth's Ark review - Dinosaurs, AI and a Beautifully Layered Sci‑Fi Vision

How about some highbrow sci-fi taking in extinction survival, AI, alien species, dinosaurs, and Geologists with a touching, if slightly peculiar, love story? And some beautiful commentary on the art of living in bold and dynamic art? Save a copy of Kenneth's Ark by Paul Evans and Jack Davies.

Paul Evans is a Coventry living creative director, comic writer, illustrator and photographer. His previous comic work is the self-published Shunt, which was also made in collaboration with Jack Davies. Plus two delicious-looking art books.

Jack Davies has worked in comics for over fifteen years. Most recently as a colourist on The Judge Dredd Megazine, 2000 AD, Battle Action and Image Comics, to name a few. When not colouring, Jack has self-published two all-ages graphic novels, Alex the Abominable and Alex And The Bassoon of Boom. Artful artisans acknowledged, let's get into this.

So, let's start with the art. Jack Davies has a very accomplished style full of technical high notes. The character work is fairly solid, but it's the Dino work and landscapes that really sing. What punctuates everything that is excellent about this art is the layered colouring that absolutely elevates the presentation. The colour work is full of beauty and brilliance in so many panels. It often does the heavy lifting in the art department. There's unquestionable skill when it comes to the dinosaurs, though, along with exceptional environments. These are particularly captivating, and I'm sure offered a temptation to Paul to shoehorn as much as possible into this story.

Speaking of Paul, it is he who is responsible for the lettering here. It is really strong throughout and offers some moments of dynamic representation, which are very pleasing.

Paul Evans has created a ponderously interesting sci-fi tale full of interesting ideas and some beautiful commentary on the human experience. At the same time, he pulls together a complex and at times peculiar collection of areas of interest. This, after all, is a comic that combines aliens, dinosaurs, AI, Geology, extinction event theory and a love story and weaves these into a very coherent and at times poetic sci-fi basket of beauty.

To be able to coalesce all these elements in a way that never feels busy or arbitrary is nothing short of remarkable. It begs the intrigue of such a fascinating brain's workings, to juggle these plot points in such an effortless manner. Some of the sci-fi ideas on offer here are really great. The aforementioned extinction theory is a highlight, with some very nice science‑based or scientific‑theory‑based explanations.

Where the story takes another interesting turn, and its most poetic storytelling is as it diverges into its love story arc. This gets very beautiful and poignant, even with its relatively odd or maybe even because of its truly odd "odd couple" narrative. It's undeniably heart-warming stuff with a certainly important message on the importance of connection via excellent scientific theory. All with a healthy splattering of dinosaurs.

For fans of sci-fi, aliens, dinosaurs, extinction events, Geology, stories that deliver a poetic statement on the importance of connection its power and how to add value to those relationships with a plot device that plays sort of like a reverse "Ex Machina" or "Her".Add in collectors, love, more dinosaurs and good scientific theory in deftly coloured, talented art, and you've got a keeper. Archive yourself a copy of Kenneth's Ark.

To get your copy, head to jackdaviesart.com for physical and digital copies, or alternatively, paulevans.sumupstore.com. From either link, you can easily discover more about the two creators, so check it out while you're there.

Review: 4.6/5 for sci-fi ideas