DSTLRY’s first ongoing series, Gone, makes its debut this week from the mind of Jock. Written and drawn by the prolific comics creator, this sci-fi series comes in a 48-page oversized format to better harness Jock’s incredible artistry. It’s a beautiful book in all the darkness and muck of the story, featuring a girl on the run and far from home.
Gone opens in squalor. Most people live in slapped-together huts with giant ships flying so close overhead that they can’t sleep. They also can’t eat. People are starving, and right off the bat, it’s clear there’s a disparity between classes. While some sci-fi is caked in neon and hopefulness, Jock has cast this world into dingy darkness and brown hues.
Soon, we meet the main character, Abi, who is clearly a loner worried about her mother. Putting food on the table is the biggest priority, and odd jobs stealing is the best they can do. Soon, she’s working to nab stuff off a ship but is quickly marooned and stuck after an altercation. Guerrilla warfare appears to be afoot, and soon, Abi is surviving alone in a new way.
As the story progresses, Jock opens up the world, showing there are different classes that one might call rebels or freedom fighters. The social aspect isn’t explored much, but it’s as evident as it is to Abi, who seems unaware of the characters’ intentions. There’s still good in the world as she gets some aid, but the giant ship she’s on may be the most intriguing element.
The world of ‘Gone’ is quite dark.
Credit: DSTLRY
That’s particularly true when we get a great double-page layout of Abi crawling through the ductwork. Jock does a wonderful job taking Abi down and around the rooms depicted via panels. It helps convey Abi getting to know the ship while drawing the eye across the page. Lee Loughridge joins Jock on colors, making a depressing-looking future together. The only brightness is the ship Abi ends up on, with a giant blue glass dome that gives it an organic look. One of the biggest draws to return for the second issue is to learn more about the ship, which seems to hold secrets in its vastness.
Regarding plot and stakes, this issue keeps things on an even keel. You get a bit lost in Abi’s thoughts, in a good way, which plays off the strangers of this dark world. Not a ton is relayed to the reader as far as how society functions by the end of this issue, and Abi is more or less a kid who has only survival on the mind. I was hoping for a bit more development of supporting characters, albeit we get one or two by the cliffhanger. This issue could have used a bit more to amp up its 48 pages.
Letters by Andworld Design are clean and easy to read. The use of size and emphasis helps add to the character’s acting. Sound effects are well placed as well.
Gone is an intriguing sci-fi series tinged with darkness you don’t often see in stories these days. It’s an unfair and brutal world, but at its core, we focus on a young girl with a spark and hope to live on. The story feels a little too simple for its own good, but I’m hopeful the world-building opens up in the next issue.
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