NewThink #1
- Writer
- Gregg Hurwitz
- Artist
- Mike Deodato Jr.
- Letterer
- AndWorld Design
- Cover Artist
- Rahzzah
- Publisher
- AWA Studios
- Price
- $3.99
- Release Date
- 2022-06-01
- Colorist
- Lee Loughridge
The New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz is no stranger to comic books, having written several issues for Marvel and DC in the past. Now, he plans to release his most ambitious project yet with AWA Studios: a sci-fi anthology series that takes inspiration from series like Black Mirror. NewThink #1 by Hurwitz, Mike Deodato Jr., Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design paints a depressing picture of society's overreliance on technology and how it can become a form of control.
The issue begins by posing an interesting question: What if the screens, known here as "skreens," had a plan to take over humanity from the start? NewThink #1 tracks the biggest technological developments in history as the skreens slowly took over every aspect of everyday life. The story showcases the pivotal moments where the skreens went from basic entertainment units to becoming a mandatory part of everyday life. More importantly, this first issue reveals how humanity has become completely dependent on these skreens and that if something were to happen, society could totally collapse.
Hurwitz uses NewThink #1 to create a prologue for this anthology series. While it is uncommon for a comic book to devote an entire issue to exposition, it works as an introductory first chapter. It sets the stage for future stories to come, as it paints a horrifying picture of modern society's obsession with technology. Hurwitz explores the ways in which the skreen has become a weapon used to enslave society. As frightening as this issue is, a subtle tongue-in-cheek humor allows Hurwitz to poke fun at the ubiquitous nature of technology.
Deodato's art is the most important element of this issue. Since Hurwitz primarily focuses on narrating the basic events in history, it's up to Deodato to capture the finer details in the panels. There's an Orwellian quality and sadness to the story, as Deodato illustrates the fall of humans and the rise of machines. Even in the moments when the people do look happy here, there's an artificiality to their emotions -- much like an Instagram filter.
Loughridge and AndWorld Design help establish the mood in NewThink #1. There's a dreamlike quality to the colors. Each panel creates an ongoing sense of déjà vu as the humans operate in a drone-like state. The skreens are always portrayed as the most powerful elements of the story, so Loughridge makes sure that their brightness overshadows everything else around them. Additionally, the recognizable alerts and logos are harsh reminders of the similarities between the world of the comic and real life.
It's difficult to judge NewThink #1 on its own since it's clear that this is only the introduction to the world of the series, and the further issues will kickstart the anthology. While it has a lot to say about the state of humanity from a macro perspective, it doesn't quite connect on an immediate personal level since the camera doesn't zoom in more closely on any specific characters. That said, this issue will work much better in the context of the rest of the series, and it sets the stage for an interesting collection.
