Daniel Mercer
Looking to refresh your reading list? This week, we highlight Cecile Pin’s Celestial Lights alongside the intriguing new Image Comics series, If Destruction Be Our Lot.
Explore the Depths of Celestial Lights
Henry Holt and Co.
Celestial Lights offers a poignant narrative exploring themes of love, loss, and the repercussions of human ambition, all set against the vastness of space. This short yet profound novel follows Oliver Ines, affectionately known as Ollie, who has always been captivated by the stars. He is selected for a decade-long mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. The story gracefully traverses through time, intertwining Ollie’s life memories with mission logs.
While it touches on space exploration, this novel is not your typical adventure tale. It is, as described in its blurb, “A portrait of a complicated man and a breathtaking tale of memory, personal choices, and the relationships that define us.” Expect a reflective journey rather than an action-packed saga.
Uncover the Intrigues of If Destruction Be Our Lot
Image Comics
The inaugural issue of If Destruction Be Our Lot hit shelves at the start of the month, and it certainly feels like the beginning of something exceptional. The storyline features an unlikely protagonist: a robot modeled after Abraham Lincoln, whose primary function is to recite quotes from the 16th president of the United States. This robot is one of many still operational long after humanity has vanished. Unlike most of its mechanical counterparts, it grapples with the significance of its existence now that its original purpose is irrelevant.
When an unexpected incident occurs during a bus ride—where the bus is an autonomous vehicle named Abe—its world begins to expand, unveiling new possibilities. The art style and tone struck a chord with me; it balances dark humor with serious undertones. This promising first issue is crafted by writers Mark Elijah and Matthew Rosenberg, with illustrations by Andy MacDonald.
