They say life is about the friends we meet along the way, which is the case in Benjamin. The new three-issue series launching on June 18th features a self-absorbed man who may or may not be the reincarnation of a long-dead sci-fi pulp author, but when he returns, what does he even have to lean on? After reading Benjamin #1, the answer is a random guy who explains cellphones aren’t psy-tacs.
What’s immediately obvious when reading Benjamin #1 is that Leomacs is putting in his best work yet. Known for his incredible horror books like Basketful of Heads, the art is highly detailed, expressive, and beautifully colored by Luca Bertele. It’s highly realistic, yet bright and vibrant straight out of a comic book world. Strange sci-fi things happen, but mostly this issue is stuck in reality, which is something Benjamin J. Carp isn’t sure is even real.
Largely riffing off the life of Phillip K. Dick, it’s safe to say fans of Dick must read this book. As someone who adored Valis, there’s a metatextual element going on here, riffing off a prolific pulp sci-fi novelist and creating a fictional situation where he actually does return. It’s as if one of his tales came to life, and this time it’s not the heavy drugs that are making it a reality.
This can get trippy.
Credit: Oni Press
Writer Ben J. Winters does a fabulous job capturing Benjamin’s personality of a blowhard, successful novelist. This is a guy who gets lost in his own stories, and now he’s trying to figure out if he’s in one. Meanwhile, Marcus, the man who, for some reason, wants to help this jerk, is kind and patient. The ties to Marcus’ father are apparent, but he’s also just a sweet guy. The dynamic is compelling, as you know, Marcus is probably going to get hurt, but maybe Benjamin can learn something along the way.
It’s safe to say comics like this don’t come around very often, and publishers like Oni Press are the scant few who would publish it. Aside from some bizarre, and beautifully blurry moments, this is mostly a dialogue-driven narrative between two men. The issue lacks action and spectacle, largely because the spectacle is of the mind similar to Phillip K. Dick novels. By this, I mean some might find this a bit flat and uninteresting, but if you let it capture your imagination, you’ll be all in for the ride.
Benjamin #1 is the kind of offbeat, meditative comic that rarely sees the light of day, but when it does — especially with a creative team this good — it’s worth paying attention. With echoes of Philip K. Dick and a sharp visual style courtesy of Leomacs and Luca Bertele, this first issue sets the stage for a cerebral journey that values ideas and character over spectacle. It’s not for everyone, but those who connect with its quiet weirdness will be eager to see where it’s headed.
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