Advance Review: Think Tank: Creative Destruction #1

Think Tank: Creative Destruction #1

Co-Creator and Writer: Matt Hawkin
Co-Creator and Artist: Rahsan Ekedal
Color Flats: Shannon Lilly
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Editor: Ryan Cady
Publisher: Minotaur Press, a Top Cow Productions Company

On Sale: April 6, 2016
Price: $3.99
Format: Full Color
Pages: 32

An unknown enemy destroys the technological infrastructure of the United States. Panic and conspiracy theories spread as David Loren and his misfit science team continue work on the TALOS project, trying to make “Iron Man” suits a reality in California.

When the very first issue of Think Tank came out I wasn’t sure that I could enjoy a book that would be in black and white. Then when season one drew to an end and we were told season two I began to wonder; could I like this story if the art was in color? Would it distract me too much from what I was learning while enjoying the story? Would the color be well done? Would the color tones fit what my mind was already conjuring while I read the black and white books?

Finally when the first images of interior pages for Think Tank: Creative Destruction started to be shared by Matt Hawkins and Rahsan Ekedal, my excitement began to climb. The images were wonderful and the color only added to them. But would it work in the finished product when we had the story in our hands to read full color art and all? Well I can finally answer those questions…

Matt’s writing continues to balance humor and science while building a story that engages and enlightens the reader about things in our world that we should be aware of yet so often are oblivious to. How many times have some of us joked with a friend that all it would take is a good EMP to wipe out the things we have come to rely upon. (Yes I am a bit of a geek if you didn’t catch that before).

I could go on mentioning some of the things that I experienced in the midst of the 2011 Southwest Blackout that hit 5 power grids within 11 minutes and left us without any of the things we take for granted; traffic lights, gas stations (need power for those pumps to operate), TV, video games, electric appliances, elevators, air conditioning and the list goes on. But we aren’t here for my take on what happened and what could happen.

So back to talking about Think Tank: Creative Destruction. Matt does a great job setting up the beginning of a new arc, even if I think he is a bit evil in having issue one end right as this reader wants to know what happens next? What is David Loren up to or getting himself into? You get enough in issue one to know that there is definitely going to be some big events happening with David caught smack dab in the middle of them in one way or another.

As for Rahsan’s art, it is just as wonderful and energetic in color as it ever was in black and white. He continues to amaze me with his range. From cute adorable Newton, human expressions to high tech cutting edge technology and everything in between, Rahsan tackles it all in a manner that pulls the reader in. Making what many would consider unbelievable or futuristic come through as real world even if not common knowledge.

Just as with season one of Think Tank, each time I go back through the pages I find details in his art that I didn’t notice when completely engrossed in the page turner story. The addition of color only served to increase the beauty of the pages and bring more atmosphere to them, helping a night scene truly come across as a night scene, or windows to obviously be windows without the hint of an exterior scene being needed. I will say that Newton is even more adorable with that little pink tongue hanging out. There are already two pages in the new volume that I will be hoping to acquire to add to my collection simply because of Newton.

As I was typing this up I stumbled upon what I had to say as season one of Think Tank came to a close and we learned that season two would bring us Think Tank in color. This felt like an appropriate moment to share it again:

In addition to the story between the pages, we also have the story of bidding farewell to season 1 of Think Tank and along with that a farewell to black and white interiors. If you had asked me before the first issue how I would feel if the book was in color I would have adamantly stated… BRING IT! Now after twelve issues plus a Military Dossier I will be sad to say farewell to the black and white interiors. However, I recall a passing conversation with Rahsan Ekedal a few months ago in which he made a comment about looking forward to not needing to reserve so much time to do the wash and being able to spend more time on the details in the art. Considering how impressed I have been by the details in many of his panels it is hard to imagine where he will take the art when season two begins.

Imagine no more, Rahsan is off to a fantastic start with the full color panels with the first issue of Think Tank: Creative Destruction and I eagerly look forward to what else he has in store for us.

Team Hawkins and Ekedel have managed to successfully mutate their magical formula for one the best series I have had the pleasure reading in many years. With the addition of a single new element; color, they have transformed the book from good to amazing.

Whether you read season one of Think Tank or not, you can easily jump on board with season two starting with Think Tank: Creative Destruction #1.

Humor, science, technology all blending together to entertain the reader with a formula for success which results in Think Tank continuing to top the GoGeekGirl Must Read list and remaining a book that I recommend to all my friends. While I don’t need my foes becoming smarter, I it’s also a book I would have to recommend to my foes, if I had any that is. Think Tank: Creative Destruction comes soaring in with a near perfect 9/10.