Review: Arks #4 & #5

How about a return to the series that makes bodily fluids and excretions a beguiling experience of unabashed beauty with a sci-fi story so steeped in powerful prophetic real science fiction seems almost inappropriate? There is only one, even though this is a review of two issues, and also technically it has a companion series it's Arks issues four and five from R.J Collins, Andrew Morris and Holly Cameron.

R.J Collins, aka Rory Collins, is a multidisciplinary creative prophet of prestigious talent from the UK. The storyboard and conceptual artist, designer, writer and producer with contributions to the likes of Band Of Brothers, Layer Cake, The Bourne Ultimatum, North Atlantic, The Tide Mechanics, Nicola Decimal and The Revolution and this groundbreaking, genre-redefining Arks, Arks Volume 1 and Arks Proximan.

Andrew Morris, the maestro of digital art, continues diligent divine art duties. Andrew has fishy origins, literally not figuratively, but thankfully ditched the fish for the advertising industry and now graces us with his genius of visual delight.

No Arks introduction could be complete without the special mention of team producer, fastidious encourager, outright excellent human being and editor Holly Cameron, aka Clicky Sprout Wife. Holy trinity of independent sci-fi introduced, it's the bit I get most excited about - a review!

So, let's start with the art. Andrew Morris is the talent responsible for the Morris Effect that has come to define the visual universe of Arks. Morris is a serious and undeniable talent of the indie scene, with these two issues, Andrew presents art to cement a top spot among independent comics' most supreme.

Something that needs adding to the definition of the Morris Effect must be the god tier presentation of fluids. Particularly biological or environmental, but viscous fluids present visceral vivaciousness in a way unmatched anywhere. Sincerely, heartfelt, bodily secretions never looked so appealing; it's so good it could turn the Pope into a rampant Aquaphile. Issue five's eyeball moments are peak "that should be disgusting but I'd be damned if it ain't beautiful in a messed up sort of way".

Fluids addressed, I'm also drawn to the incredible presentation of the environment. The weather anomalies depicted here are further examples of the unmitigated skill of Andrew's artwork. There's a clinical level of production to the character work also, by which I mean every facet of the character depictions, particularly in emotion, is presented beautifully clinical as in near perfection and the furthest thing from sterile as possible, well like a mucus clad, bird glue encrusted, severed left arm for instance, chock full of substance. Chock full of Morris.

Finally, for art, the lettering is handled by Jeremiah Lambert, who adds a professional delivery throughout. Right on to the story, and ooooooooowee is this one ramping up.

R.J Collins has gifted us all something truly special in Arks. The first volume converted many an Arkolyte (sorry, not sorry) by showing us the light of genre-redefining concept Directed Panspermia. Rory has built from this foundation some of the most unique sci-fi tech items grounded in high concept yet organic and easy to digest scientific understanding. I believe it's only the best of truly great sci-fi writing that can present unprecedented tech in the way Arks does.

As far out as the concepts are in the practical and everyday science being utilised, it is all simple to understand and particularly special in its believability. As incredible as the science of this sci-fi is, it is not the only selling point. The fiction on offer is out of this world (yes, shameless pun), but that's probably underselling it. I mean, this is getting beyond the realm of concepts like planetary expulsion. What started as a deep space Adam & Eve story descended into a detective procedural mystery, now leaps into new territories with breadcrumbs signifying a story with chronological tinkering at levels that would give Doctor Who a headache.

The pre-climax of issue five gave this genuine moment in the house:

Me: "Oh fuck! off!"
Wife: "What's wrong?!"
Me: "Wrong? Nothings wrong, well I mean it is, but, look, it's completely genius, do you know what this could mean?"
Wife: "No, I don't understand what you're talking about"
Me: "Just look, it all started with bacteria and, well, look, oh forget it, you have to read this, it will be quicker."

SOME TIME LATER

Wife: "Oh Fuck!"
Me: "I TOLD YOU!!!"

So that's the most important thing - READ THIS!!!! You have to. By the end you too will be exclaiming "well god damn just take my money Rory we need more!" The story here is unbelievably good with so many layers and nods to the mythological ancestry of this type of story, and yet also full of such genre-redefining sci-fi. I mean the fiction in science fiction seems unjust. Just go with me here. Misrepresentation is a synonym for fiction; this is representation, no lies, just altered, reconstituted facts. Peak sci-fi of the highest order in any medium.

This message is briefly interrupted to plead to your pockets. Now you've hopefully expanded your sci-fi knowledge by purchasing this fine series, perhaps consider donating to our Ko-Fi. It helps support the content created here by helping to champion the beautiful UK indie scene. It might not help science, but then did Frankenstein?

For fans of sci-fi, science, comics, stories, storytelling, allegorical interpretations of the Adam & Eve story with stone cold hard science prophecy and some god level time interpretation across multiple books, it's not a snake it's A.I, appendix that read like part research paper part history textbook with lore that truly bolsters the experience all in digital art with the Morris effect then for your own well being it has to be Arks issues four and five, and volume one and Proximan really to be honest.

To get your copy, head to https://www.clickysproutwife.com/. There you will also find links to pre-launch for the highly anticipated issue six and Proximan issue two they are expected to launch later this year and next year respectively however if like me your positively vibrating in anticipation a pre-launch following of 800 followers could trigger early action. I hope that can come true.

Review: 5+++/5 We're going to need a bigger scale