Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Greg Scott, Soo Lee
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Strange Attractors is a reprint of the original series by Charles Soule from back in 2013. Soule is now a well known author with a fanbase, so it makes sense to re-release this mini series. For fans of the original, this re-release also includes a brand new story told in parts at the end of each book. I missed Strange Attractors when it first came out, so I’m pretty glad that I was given another opportunity to experience this series.
Strange Attractors #1 introduces us to two brilliant mathematicians, one a student trying to secure his future and the other a disgraced professor. The book is focused on developing its main and minor characters through various character moments and interactions. The dialogue is well written and flows naturally. It never feels like the book is just dropping exposition and background information by using extremely awkward and forced dialogue. It would be a easy trap to fall into considering the mathematical theories being explored, but Soule expertly avoids it.
Not much time is spend on actually pushing the plot forward or even giving us an idea of what the plot is going to be. It’s clearly meant to be a slow paced series, but with only 4 issues left it seems to be going a little too slow. Fortunately, being focused on character really helps hook the reader in. I actually care about these characters and want to know what happens to them. Not revealing the plot outright, but leaving plenty of hints, demands the reader to tune in for the next issue.
The art is nothing to write home about, and to be honest looks a little off. It kind of grew on me by the end of this book, but it’s not for everyone. The back-up story is interesting, although it is only three pages. Most of the story, just like the main book, is character interaction, but I can’t complain since Charles Soule is so good at it.
Strange Attractors is a great start to this series, featuring great character work and introducing readers to some genuinely interesting mathematics. Charles Soule is a great writer and if you missed this series the first time around, this is the perfect time to jump on.
