While much of that investment comes from Lemire's assured characterization, it can't be said enough how vital Nguyen is to the book and its tone.

By the time the book's final wheels begin to grind, you're already completely invested in the character and his well being, important considering the hinted role he's set to play. Lemire uses this stillness well, allowing the robot boy a number of very human quirks and insecurities that make him instantly endearing. Quon, can feel swept up in the book's swiftly driving narrative, TIM-21 is given ample time to simply be. Whereas other characters, such as robotics expert Dr. Lemire doesn't concern himself much with what TIM is, but rather who, lending an immediate innocence to the character that remains ever present throughout the book's events. That same touch lends itself to the book's characters, particularly within his lead, the boy-esque robot TIM-21.

There's a lot going on, Lemire essentially building and breaking his world in the span of a few multi-page sequences, and while such structure makes for a somewhat explanatory debut, the writer nevertheless shows a deft hand in positioning his plot lines with as minimal exposition as possible. Writer Lemire does an excellent job in setting the book's uneasy tone early, teasing the narrative's various threats and repercussions quickly and efficiently. Set in a universe where androids have been outlawed following an attack of devastating but unexplained origin, Descender is at once intriguing, positing a society ruled by fear of that which they don't understand.

Descender, Vol. 1 by Jeff Lemire