Psychosis #1 Review
Writer: Adam Atkinson
Artist: David Coates
Letterer: David Coates
Review by: Josh Gillam
Issue one of Psychosis is a fast paced, action style comic that starts to lay the groundwork for what promises to be a thrilling and intriguing series. This is a series that is not only full of action, but has it’s fair share of emotion and even touches on topics such as mental illness.
Psychosis takes place in a post apocalyptic future where a large portion of the world’s population has died off and the world is governed by a body of genetically superior human beings. The main character is a man named Victor Stevens, who is part of a resistance group fighting against the world’s governing forces. When Victor puts on his mask he goes by the name Psychosis and takes on a whole new personality. He goes from being quiet and reserved to a cold blooded killer.
In this issue we follow Psychosis as he breaks into a facility to rescue a group of children that are being experimented on. The book is full of inner monologues from Psychosis where you get an insight into his state of mind when he is killing. You see glimpses of the character’s mental health issues throughout the story, and by the end of the book, you’re looking at him in a different light.
If you read through the back story of this series, you can see that Adam Atkinson has put a lot of thought and effort into creating this world. In this issue he gives you a solid story that surrounds the Psychosis part of the main character’s identity, while also putting in details that serve to set up the greater story of what’s to come. The writing for the character Psychosis is very well done, especially all of his inner monologues. You get an understanding for how ruthless and cold blooded he can be, and you get that understanding very quick. Adam wrote a very interesting and complex character that carries a lot of emotional baggage. I have no doubt that as the series continues and this character develops there will be even more layers and depth that will make him stand out as unique.
The artwork by David Coates has such an amazing feel to it. It is in black and white and has a gritty feel to it that suits the post apocalyptic atmosphere it’s trying to create. The artwork helps set the tone for the book and the gray scale and designs have a great effect. All of the action scenes throughout the book are done beautifully. They have an well structured layout that helps them flow smoothly and gives the scenes that fast paced feel. Coates is off to a strong start with this series and I’m sure as the series progresses we’ll be treated with even more thrilling spectacles.
Psychosis is the start of an intense and impressive series that stands out among other independent and self published comics. With a variety of themes that aren’t explored too often, Psychosis is a refreshing and original story that readers are sure to enjoy.
Story: 5/5
Art: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Josh Gillam is a contributing writer for Drunk on Comics and the creator of the webcomic Cynical Stew. You can follow him on Twitter at @Cynical_Stew