Right out of the gate, this book had a strike against it. I'm not a fan of post-apocalyptic war stories, and this fallsinto that category easily. Nevertheless, a small, focused cast and some leisurely pacing make for an accessible read, and some strong personalities among the characters draws one into this vision of an unfortunate future. The line art seems to cry out for colors as opposed to the black-and-white production values here, though. Ultimately, though the story is exciting and a couple of plot developments are inventive, I found I didn't really get to know these characters all that well, and as a result, I didn't really care what happened to them.
A shapely mechanic named Mel is working on a jet when an alien attack rains down on the military installation where she's based, and she survives by taking refuge in the aircraft she's servicing. She discovers that there's no trace of those she was stationed with, and the only other human being for miles a young kid who can't -- or maybe just doesn't -- talk. Still, Mel's lucky she ran into him, as his rocket launcher proves to be her saving grace. She and the kid soon encounter another survivor, an elite soldier who recruits them and their transport into military service.
Hadiwidjaja's art here reminds me of the style of Tom Artis. He hasn't been heard from in some time, but he used to do work for DC in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Actually, he did a series called Tailgunner Jo, which would compare easily to this small-press effort. Hadiwidjaja's linework boasts Japanese and European influence, not to mention those American ones such as Jim Lee and Michael Turner. Ultimately, though, the art is merely capable, telling the story somewhat clearly but little more than that. The opening scene, featuring Mel's morning routine, is pointless and serves only to show off the main character's curves. Though I think color art would have served this story better, the greytones do reinforce the stark tone of the setting and circumstances.
Having the kid say nothing is a smart move on Neighly's part. It brings some comedy to the script and envelops the kid in an air of mystery. Furthermore, it prompts the main character to talk a lot more, providing a logical reason for her loquaciousness. The kid also gives her something to fight for. Though he saves her skin, Mel falls into the protector role easily given the difference in age between the two characters.
Other than basic survival, though, I don't know what these characters are about. I don't feel a connection to them. Furthermore, there's not a clear sense of the alien threat, and robbing the story of a key degree of gravity an urgency.
