’40 Seconds’ TPB (review)

Written by Jeremy Haun
Art by Christopher Mitten
Published by Dark Horse Comics

Jeremy Haun’s 40 Seconds is the type of comic book that disappoints me the most, one that starts with an excellent premise and an enticing mystery, only to become confused and muddled in the end without the ability to stick the landing.

Like all great science fiction, the premise is simple enough, a brave team of science explorers traveling through a series of alien gateways to answer a distress call a galaxy away.

They find themselves jumping across the universe through strange and beautiful landscapes only to be hunted by a vast, inexplicably unstoppable, and dangerous horde.

Amazing truths lie at the final gate.

If only they could make it in time.

Haun’s writing and characterization are excellent. I was engaged by and routing for our band of merry explorers, and the mystery thoroughly engrossed me.

Where Haun lost me was the twist.

While the twist was interesting and, in a way, satisfying, it created more questions, questions that will hopefully be resolved in subsequent volumes of this book.

Mitten’s art is an excellent companion to Haun’s prose, and he effectively brings each new world to life.

In the end, 40 Seconds needs a little more time in the oven. I was not unhappy with the book, as I’m sure the first five issues are not enough to flesh out the story entirely. I do intend to continue following the next volume of this series, but for me to make this part of my permanent pull list, the story will need to pull together more cohesively instead of being just a mystery box.

3.75 out of 5 stars