4001 A.D.: Warmother #1 introduces a new character and covers events on Earth in the southern hemisphere right after Father jettisoned sections of New Japan. Inhabitants of Earth have had to survive through hardships considering how much New Japan ravaged it with its exhaust system, and scavenging for supplies has become a way of life. So naturally everyone on Earth has been watching parts of New Japan falling to Earth and thinking of all they could salvage from the wreckage. None is more equipped than Ana aka War Mother, who is part of a community known as the Grove. She prepares herself for the journey to the wreckage located, and nothing is more important than her weapon and Flaco, a positronic targeting and analysis intelligence. During the journey she tells Flaco that the Grove grows about 95% of its technology but need to salvage the rest at times. And since Ana is the only one allowed to leave the Grove the responsibility falls on her. The laws of the Grove are simple: Gather true, gather well, and return home with nothing living. But with everyone in that hemisphere observing the falling sections from New Japan this journey will be unlike any other taken by her. Can she succeed in this quest while remaining true to the Grove?

One thing I’ve had a problem with in the 4001 AD world was the way the situation on Earth was treated as just a footnote and didn’t explore the way the people lived. Even when Rai was sent down to Earth this wasn’t fully explored. This issue explores that dynamic more than any other in just a matter of a few pages. It was interesting to see Ana being celebrated in her village not just by humans but other species as well. The survival of all life was so strong apparently that bonds trumped even that. And Ana’s interactions with Flaco was a good touch to explain to the reader how they survived. Not to mention that the exploration of the wreckage revealed more about New Japan and the way reproduction was treated.

SUMMARY

4001 A.D.: Warmother #1 builds a rock-solid case for more of the character with the world she inhabits, the setting of the Grove and the dynamic between her and Flaco. This world is rich with potential ranging from her history to the history of the Grove as well as all that exists outside of the Grove.  The story flows at a good pace, and the artwork adds to the level of enjoyment easily. I do wish more explanation was given about the different species but I also know some of that would be better covered in a series as opposed to a one-shot issue. So if this was just meant to be an introduction to the character then I’m definitely on board for more.

Release Date: 8/3/16

Writer: Fred Van Lente

Artist: Tomas Giorello