Title: Sentient.
Writer(s): Jeff Lemire.
Artist(s): Gabriel Hernández Walta.
Letterer(s): Steve Wands.
Publisher: TKO Studios.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: October 2019.
Pages: 160.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781732748545.
My Overall Rating:
Adults play a crucial role in the development of children. Where else would one find an example to follow? Through words and action, children absorb their parent’s visions of the world and build upon them until they are old enough to question their understanding of the world by themselves. But how would children obtain such guidance if they are alone, plunged in darkness, in the middle of nowhere, out in space, with only an A.I. to assure their survival? Although familiar due to its numerous science-fiction tropes, writer Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Black Hammer) and Gabriel Walta (The Vision) work together to deliver a riveting tale of innocence, survival, and hope with a unique cast of characters mostly composed of children and a faceless mother.
What is Sentient about? The story follows a group of adults, children, and an A.I. named Valerie on a colony ship known as the U.S.S. Montgomery. As they set on course for a newly colonized planet, away from the inhabitable planet Earth, they approach a communications dead zone where chaos and tragedy promises a terrifying fate for the passengers: all adults fall prey to a plot-gone-wrong, leaving the children alone with the ship’s A.I. for the rest of their journey. Unburdened by her previous programming to now take care of the children on board and safely bring them to the colony, Val must commandeer the crew despite the trauma, grief, and anger felt by the children. Amidst the conflict among them, unexpected surprises lead the remaining survivors onto a journey that will require them to look beyond themselves if they are to survive.
“After that, things started to change. We started to change. And so did Val. If only I knew then what I know now… Maybe I could have saved her.”
— Jeff Lemire
Amalgaming the themes that writer Jeff Lemire is accustomed to exploring in his stories, he now successfully explores tragedy between individuals in a pseudo-family context through children destined to grow under the supervision of an A.I. without any blood ties to rely upon. He brilliantly explores the raw emotions of these children, notably two characters who continuously engage in conflict by being weighed down by the past mistakes of a previous generation. Through this story, writer Jeff Lemire demonstrates the universal instinct of survival that transcends emotional rifts between individuals by putting these children through intense adversity. He also uses the A.I. as a surrogate mother who embraces her role through past observations, giving the children an authoritative voice to rely upon to try and overcome their emotional turmoil.
Complementary to the space opera narrative, artist Gabriel Hernández Walta delivers a tremendous artistic vision that ceaselessly captures the harsh emotional state of its cast and the mysterious emptiness of space. Often painting a portrait of loneliness, hopelessness, and uncertainty, he effortlessly establishes an unpleasant atmosphere where the absence of cohesiveness and understanding between the characters clearly paves the way towards insatiable tension. The colour palette indulged also reflects the gloomy air within the U.S.S. Montgomery. With warmer colours that look drained of life and promise, it easily establishes the story’s tone, allowing the reader to understand the particular context in which these children must evolve. With the added dramatic effect from the rougher artwork, there’s no denying the engaging nature of this wonderful short story.
Sentient is an immersive and harrowing story of survival among children in space with key themes of responsibility, motherhood, and solidarity.
Thank you MediaLab PR for sending me a copy for review!
Roars and Echoes 
Perhaps I’ll make this my intro to Jeff Lemire’s work. I really like the sound of this one. I’ve had a craving lately for some sci-fi and this fits the style I was thinking of. The artist looks to do a good job of conveying emotion in characters. I like the toned down color scheme. Like you said, it helps develop the tone of the work. Thanks for this review, Lashaan. It’s not a book I’d have otherwise been aware of.
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I’m glad to hear your interest in this title too, Todd! There are so many places where you could start with Jeff Lemire’s work but it all comes down to what you’re craving for in particular; the man has pretty much explored everything and anything! The advantage of this title is that it’s just one graphic novel with no spin-offs or sequels! Thanks for reading, my friend. I look forward to the day you try his work.
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Nothing by Lemire has attracted me yet and this doesn’t change that.
At the same time, nothing about his work has truly turned me off either. It’s just been a series of meh’ness. I am glad he’s not a meh for you. Finding something that you can truly enjoy is not something to take lightly.
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He has sooooo many titles under his belt today that anyone exploring his work is bound to run into a couple of bad ones, and I’m no exception. I stick around so that I don’t miss out on the good ones even if occasionally there are some average/bad ones too. Hopefully, he won’t do something outrageous that will just keep me away from him. 😀
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Mmmm the concept is a little bit frightening (to have AI raising children) and I am not convinced by the art here :-((( So I am sorry to say that it does not seem something I’d love to read Lashaan. But your review is excellent!
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Hahah not surprised to hear that the artwork is not something that tickles your fancy, Sophie. Thanks for taking the time to read this though! I appreciate it.
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Great review Lashaan. This sounds like it would make a great movie to me. If my library has this, I would like to read it.
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It would be quite fascinating! There aren’t a lot of child actors movies nowadays but it would make for a fascinating one, especially since it has adult themes in it too! Thanks for reading, Carla!
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This sounds interesting and I already like the theme and idea of A.I. taking care of kids. Great review, Lashaan!
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It’s a terrifying idea. I’ve seen a couple of movies where an A.I. would mother a child alone in a ship but this premise does push it further with a group of kids! Thanks for reading, Yesha! 😀
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Great review, Lashaan, I’m almost tempted! 😀
I’ll give Lemire a chance, so is there anything you’d recommend to me without a second hesitation?
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Thanks, Ola! My all-time favourite by him and the only 5 stars I gave was for his “Doctor Star & the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows” graphic novel. Otherwise, depending on what you’re in the mood for, I enjoyed his Moon Knight, first volumes of Sweet Tooth, Descender (I think I mentioned the watercolour by Dustin Nguyen that you’d probably enjoy), Sentient, and the first volumes of Gideon Falls (its mystery had a hook in me and the artwork made it even more enthralling) and the first volumes of his Black Hammer universe.
Soooo… Plenty of places where you could start. You just have to go with what you’re craving for (artistically and story-wise!). 😀
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Hmm Doctor Star and Descender both sound quite promising! I’ll check them out, thanks! 😊
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Wow, this sounds fascinating. I’ll put it on my list!
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I’m absolutely glad to hear your interest in it! I hope you enjoy this one when you get the chance to try it out.
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Thank you. ❤ I’ve just scribbled down those recommendations you made for Ola too. 👍
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I’m really glad that it might be useful to another person too! Happy reading! 😀
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Would you say this one has more sci-fi or psychological aspects?
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I think the psychological aspects dominate the sci-fi elements. I mean, sci-fi elements mostly just allow the story to have a distinct setting and an A.I.
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Oh, then the tale sounds quite worth the read!
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