The Next

(DC, 2006)

Every few years, DC puts out some amazing super-hero book that’ll hit cult status and probably get canceled well after expectations, but well before its time. Major Bummer, Chase, Young Heroes in Love, Aztek… titles that all fell victim to a readership that by and large, has all the super-heroes it wants.

Welcome to that club, then, The Next, a cute, cerebral book written by Tad Williams and drawn by Dietrich Smith, and wish it longevity. A group of extra-dimensional waifs on the run from their oppressive governing council, The Iron Ring (for the deadly crime of individual thought), chase their dog (“He’s actually not a dog, he’s a rehearsed concept—an algorithm with some free will…”) to Earth, saves a young lady named Monikka, and in the process, bind themselves here and ripping a hole in timespace.

“You are my friend now,” one clucks cheerily to her, “I will definitely give you this body when I’m done with it.” Happy sailing, friends.

— Brendan McGinley

Jump to issue: