Danger: Reading this book will make you smarter!
Dr. David Loren PHD, a former whiz-kid, has been working for the military for most of his life in a DARPA led think tank. However he’s no longer comfortable creating fantastic pieces of machinery that are stunningly efficient killing machines which has lead him to become rather lackadaisical towards his work. This first issue deals with the fallout of his laziness and how this conflicts with his addiction to being scientifically creative.
The thing that strikes you almost immediately about Think Tank is writer Matt Hawkins love for science. The first page is just a quote from Einstein, something that no-one could get enough of, describing the double-edge nature of working in ‘science’, an attitude that Hawkins admits is easily applicable to comic-books. There are also a number of small things, like F=MA leading the first narrative box on every page, which allows the creators love of science to creep its way in. The aforementioned double-edge sentiment is rife throughout the book though, as whilst science is held up to be fantastic, which it is, it is also shown to have horrible consequences. From the obvious perfectly designed killing machines to the dubious morality in using the non-lethal device Loren creates at the end of the book, as well as the petty nature of a scientific college prank seen in a flashback, it’s clear that showing both the good and bad sides of science is important to the creators.
From the obvious perfectly designed killing machines to the dubious morality in using the non-lethal device Loren creates, it’s clear that showing both the good and bad sides of science is important to the creators.
I very much enjoy Rahsan Ekedal’s art though the entire book is black and white, which I would imagine would put some readers off a little, but I think that works in the art’s favour especially the panel toward the end in which Loren explains how his device works which is easily my favourite. I also enjoyed, at the back of the book, the pages labelled Science Class in which Hawkins writes about his inspiration for Think Tank and takes the time to explain some of the concepts and technology featured in the story, as well as a little about some of the characters. I always enjoy it when comic books do this and I hope it’s something that continues in further issues.
There is also great potential in character conflicts, as well as having a lead character who’s a bit of a dick which is always great for character growth, Hawkins mentions disliking one dimensional ‘bad-guys’
Overall I believe Think Tank is something most people who enjoy science, regardless of whether they only know the stuff they vaguely recall from school or truly know their stuff, as it really is ‘love letter’ science. There is also great potential in character conflicts, as well as having a lead character who’s a bit of a dick which is always great for character growth, Hawkins mentions disliking one dimensional ‘bad-guys’. All in all, I have no difficulty recommending Think Tank even if it is just in the hope I continue to learn more science.
You can follow Thomas on Twitter at @FacetiousBeard
Posted on August 28th, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, WITH A GREAT BEARD COMES...
Tags: Comic Reviews, Image Comics, Matt Hawkins, Rahsan Ekedal, Think Tank #1 Review, Thoms Ian Crisp, Top Cow, With a great beard comes