newuniversal # 4 - Distance

This series thus far has been awesome. It looks like Warren Ellis has a very complicated story to tell, but he's taking his time to introduce everyone in the universe and the universe itself.

This issue takes a break from John Tensen, the most developed character thus far, and centers on Ken Connell (Starbrand). He receives three visitors that offer up some answers for the confused Connell. Although most of the issue centers on this conversation, and the reveal at the end is kinda predictable... it's still very entertaining.

It's not all about Connell however. We also get to see Izanami Randall (Nightmask) again. She's the character that has adjusted the quickest since The White Event. It's actually nice that not all the characters are running around going "Oh my god! Where'd I get these powers!" Of course there's an explanation for that too as she's already had her orientation with the.... umm... big alien thing. She ends up being the character that is most up to speed on what's going on, and decides it's time to take action.

Finally we find out exactly what's going on with Dr. Jennifer Swann which was hinted at last issue. Although Ellis is taking his time telling this story, it doesn't feel like anything is being dragged out. You'll read the issue thinking that not much happened, but if you look back a lot of set up happens here, and makes waiting for the next issue kinda hard.

Also this series features some of Salvador Larroca's best work. Although I've always thought he was a great artist, I had trouble enjoying his work on X-Treme X-Men. He was trying to stuff to much detail in panels and sometimes it was hard to tell exactly what you were looking at, or what was going on. In newuniversal he's simplified his art a bit. He still has great detail in his pencils, but he's not trying to put to much in panels this time around. His art has also been consistent since issue #1, and adds to the realistic approach Ellis is taking with this series.

Although the whole "what would the real world be with superhumans" approach has been done before (besides the New Universe titles), it's always entertaining to have Warren Ellis do it. I think he is more in his element here, then telling a traditional superhero story. It's a sci-fi epic at the beginning stages and thus far it looks like it's going to be a great ride.