In one story, racers speed their way through the city, while in another a pair of women come face to face with pure evil, but that might be dramatic.  Your Major Spoilers review of 7174 AD, awaits!

7174 AD #1

Writer:  Ashley Wood
Artist: Ashley Wood and TP Louise
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: April 17th, 2024

Previously in 7174 AD: From the fevered brain and drawing desk of TP Louise and Ashley Wood comes an all-new ongoing series collecting bits and bobs from Ash’s storied career. Up first, two full-length tales, “Duostar Racers” and “Miss and Mrs”.

RACERS AND EVIL

7174 AD #1 contains two stories, the first called Duostar Racers and the other called Miss and Mrs.  Duostar Racers opens with a mechanic working on something on a rooftop.  He’s later joined by a woman and the two discuss the newest member of their team who is apparently the reason the mechanic is forced to work on the roof.  The topic then changes to a mysterious lead the mechanic has that could reveal the location of his missing brother.  They’re then interrupted by a plume of smoke in the distance.  Things then shift back two hours with two people racing through the streets, trying to pick up on some sort of frequency.  In the next story Miss and Mrs. a pair of explorers are climbing a hill in search of someone or something named G.  They come across a sort of cage containing something called a Nabler, who Mrs. has to release in order to find a way off the planet they are on.

REMINISCENT AND OVERINDULGENT

It only takes a page to recognize that 7174 AD #1 is not a typical comic, nor does it have any ambitions to be one.   In both stories, there isn’t much of an attempt to tell a tale that could be considered coherent or complete.  Both of them come off as being in media res and on top of that they are presented in a sort of fragmentary format.  This makes it somewhat difficult to figure out what exactly is intentional and what isn’t in terms of storytelling.  While this makes reading this comic an experience, it also comes with its fair share of frustrations.  But, in lieu of traditional narrative, this collection doubles down on vibe and tone.  In particular, this comic feels like it’s invoking the same sort of spirit that magazines like Heavy Metal and 2000 A.D. with an earnestness that’s similar to The Incal.  Now, while 7174 AD #1 feels reminiscent of these classics, it doesn’t match their quality.  This is due to it coming across as somewhat pretentious in its storytelling.  While it’s clear that this is somewhat of an experimental type of comic, the strangeness in the narrative doesn’t add anything and instead feels designed to be deliberately obtuse in an unnatural way.  Now, in terms of crafting something that makes the actual reading experience unique and engaging, this comic succeeds handily.  It just doesn’t have the content to reward that reading experience.

VISUALLY STIMULATING AND HECTIC

The art in 7174 AD #1 was chaotic, frantic, dense, and expressive.  What’s the most surprising thing about the visuals though is how restrained they are. Nothing in this comes off as too crazy or gratuitous, where it separates itself from other comics is how it utilizes meta elements.  For example, in Duostar Racers, during the scene with the two racers flying around town, we don’t actually get to see them racing other than a handful of panels.  Rather, a series of panels showing a condensed highway system with an onomatopoeia crowding out the page, almost covering the speech bubbles.  You might not know exactly what you’re looking at in this issue, but it’ll be interesting regardless.

BOTTOM LINE:  FOR A VERY SPECIFIC TYPE OF COMIC READER

While it goes without saying that every comic won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s especially true with this one.  7174 AD #1 is an experimental book that isn’t concerned with your comprehension and enjoyment and at times feels like it’s trying to actively make it difficult to see what’s going on.  But there’s a purity and expressiveness here that you just don’t see in most comic books that feels both new and reminiscent of underground and alt comics from days gone by.  I can’t say that I really enjoyed the stories here, but I’m glad I read this comic regardless.  3 out of 5 stars.

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