THE JETSONS #1
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by Pier Brito, Alex Sinclair, and Dave Sharpe
Published by DC Comics
Release Date: November 1, 2017
We got our first look at the DC Hanna-Barbera Jetsons in a back-up story in the Booster Gold/Flintstones one-shot earlier this year. Jumping off from the events in that teaser, this new six-issue mini-series continues the sci-fi exploration of the far future, as seen by the famous family.
This issue gives us broader look at the day-to-day of the Jetsons. There are some familiar tropes from the classic cartoon including Judy getting ready for a party and George suffering another bad day at work. But added on are Jane explaining how humanity came to live in floating cities, while also delivering some almost Kryptonian warnings of the future.
Elroy, meanwhile, has an adventure of his own exploring other aspects of this world of tomorrow. And there are dire portents of how Jane and Elroy’s stories may impact each others.
Brito’s art is clean with developed panels that do not seem cluttered. The characters all have distinct looks and command the frame. He is particularly successful at selling the drama of a couple of full-page splashes that fix the dramatic moments.
Being a hard sci-fi take on this classic, there is a great deal of exposition that needs doing, specifically as Jane gives us a broader history of what led the Earth to this place. Sharpe works with a lot of talk and narration boxes at times, and keeps the flow with solid placement. Also, Sharpe is not afraid to break the odd panel border, which helps the talky sections gain momentum instead of losing.
The colors by Sinclair really stick the landing. Keeping the book bright and cartoon-like, but without it seeming aimed at a young audience. Bright red hair, deep blue in the sky and ocean. The art and color works extremely well together to set the tone of the story.
Setting up the story to come, hitting a few fan service moments, and making an accessible sci-fi that does not require any previous knowledge to enjoy it. Everything fits together for a great issue.
The Verdict: 9.0/10
