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Injection #1
Injection, Vol. 1
A few years ago, a public/private partnership between the British Government and a multinational company saw five clever people placed in university-owned offices and allowed to do whatever they liked. It was called the Cultural Cross-Contamination Unit, and the idea was that it would hothouse new thinking and new patents. Five actual geniuses, all probably crazy, very eccentric, put in one place and given carte blanche to think about ways to approach and change the future. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
They did A Crazy Thing, which was referred to as The Injection. A mysterious Thing that they did in order to make the 21st Century better and stranger. It got out. It got loose into the fabric of the 21st Century, whatever it was, and now things are getting weird and ugly, faster and faster.
So a few years have passed. They've all gone their separate ways, into separate "jobs" that allow them to follow and sometimes deal with the repercussions of The Injection. We are in the period where the toxic load of The Injection is at such a level that events that are essentially paranormal in nature are coming faster and faster, headed towards a point where humanity won't easily be able to live on the planet any more. Not a Singularity of glory, but an irretrievable constant blare of horror coming too thick and fast for anything to deal with.
From the creators of Moon Knight: From the Dead: the story of five mad geniuses trying to save us all from themselves.
Collecting: Injection 1-5
They did A Crazy Thing, which was referred to as The Injection. A mysterious Thing that they did in order to make the 21st Century better and stranger. It got out. It got loose into the fabric of the 21st Century, whatever it was, and now things are getting weird and ugly, faster and faster.
So a few years have passed. They've all gone their separate ways, into separate "jobs" that allow them to follow and sometimes deal with the repercussions of The Injection. We are in the period where the toxic load of The Injection is at such a level that events that are essentially paranormal in nature are coming faster and faster, headed towards a point where humanity won't easily be able to live on the planet any more. Not a Singularity of glory, but an irretrievable constant blare of horror coming too thick and fast for anything to deal with.
From the creators of Moon Knight: From the Dead: the story of five mad geniuses trying to save us all from themselves.
Collecting: Injection 1-5
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
64 people are currently reading
5233 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,968 books5,766 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 631 reviews
December 28, 2016
Dammit. I love this premise so much.
Can you please do more of it, Warren? Please? Pretty please?
Can you please do more of it, Warren? Please? Pretty please?
February 29, 2016
Warren Ellis has created another obtuse head scratcher. I’m hoping this is part of a trilogy (Supreme: Blue Rose, Trees, Vol. 1: In Shadow, this volume) of weirdness for Image Comics, just to get it out of his system, but house money says I’m probably wrong and there'll be more. Here’s a quiz for those of you who need practice taking your LSAT.
With this and any of the aforementioned books, readers can expect:
a) Non-linear story telling
b) Quirky characters
c) Above average artwork
d) A slow building headache
e) All of the above
Ellis’s source of inspiration for this was probably:
a) Post-modern science fiction
b) Intense navel gazing
c) A bottle of cheap scotch
d) A crack pipe
e) Both c and d
The main theme of the book is:
a) Science is ass
b) Mysticism is the bomb
c) The interwebz is a magical place
d) Your guess is as good as mine
e) I ordered pastrami not corned beef
The next panel in this sequence will be:
a) Since Ellis likes sexual imagery, something vaginal
b) Since Ellis likes to bounce around in time, something confusing, so strap in
c) Since we haven’t heard from quirky character #5 in a while, something with him/her
d) Since Ellis likes to drop in Easter eggs, a homage to Ace the Bat Hound
“I’m not a wizard.” Taking the art into context, we can conclude:
a) The character is a wizard and a liar
b) The character is probably not wearing underwear
c) The character didn’t eat lunch
d) I forgot to take my meds this morning
What lesson can be gleaned from this sequence?
a) Room service at this hotel sucks
b) That must hurt. A lot.
c) Having a disposable thug answer the door is a luxury only for the 1%
d) "It's not delivery, it's DiGiorno"
e) The guy with the weapon should have said "Land shark".
f) I just remembered where I put my car keys
Bottom line:
With this and any of the aforementioned books, readers can expect:
a) Non-linear story telling
b) Quirky characters
c) Above average artwork
d) A slow building headache
e) All of the above
Ellis’s source of inspiration for this was probably:
a) Post-modern science fiction
b) Intense navel gazing
c) A bottle of cheap scotch
d) A crack pipe
e) Both c and d
The main theme of the book is:
a) Science is ass
b) Mysticism is the bomb
c) The interwebz is a magical place
d) Your guess is as good as mine
e) I ordered pastrami not corned beef
The next panel in this sequence will be:
a) Since Ellis likes sexual imagery, something vaginal
b) Since Ellis likes to bounce around in time, something confusing, so strap in
c) Since we haven’t heard from quirky character #5 in a while, something with him/her
d) Since Ellis likes to drop in Easter eggs, a homage to Ace the Bat Hound
“I’m not a wizard.” Taking the art into context, we can conclude:
a) The character is a wizard and a liar
b) The character is probably not wearing underwear
c) The character didn’t eat lunch
d) I forgot to take my meds this morning
What lesson can be gleaned from this sequence?
a) Room service at this hotel sucks
b) That must hurt. A lot.
c) Having a disposable thug answer the door is a luxury only for the 1%
d) "It's not delivery, it's DiGiorno"
e) The guy with the weapon should have said "Land shark".
f) I just remembered where I put my car keys
Bottom line:
May 26, 2018
3.5 stars
Five people, each at the top of their field, come together at the request of some agency or another in order to...do something.
The gist is that they discover the future will be a bit stagnant discovery-wise, and decide to inject something into the consciousness of reality to keep that from happening.
This plan backfires spectacularly.
And now whatever this thing is they've set off is fucking with reality.
Honestly, this was a bit too rough and patchy for me to completely enjoy it, but maybe things get a tad more coherent in the next volume.
I'm glad I didn't have to read this in single issue installments, though. I can't imagine that it would make much sense. Then again, not everyone has to have shit make sense right off the bat, I suppose.
I'm up in the air as to whether this is the start of something cool, or whether this is just going to devolve into an X-Filesish mess. But I like Warren Ellis, so I'm willing to give it a shot.
Five people, each at the top of their field, come together at the request of some agency or another in order to...do something.
The gist is that they discover the future will be a bit stagnant discovery-wise, and decide to inject something into the consciousness of reality to keep that from happening.
This plan backfires spectacularly.
And now whatever this thing is they've set off is fucking with reality.
Honestly, this was a bit too rough and patchy for me to completely enjoy it, but maybe things get a tad more coherent in the next volume.
I'm glad I didn't have to read this in single issue installments, though. I can't imagine that it would make much sense. Then again, not everyone has to have shit make sense right off the bat, I suppose.
I'm up in the air as to whether this is the start of something cool, or whether this is just going to devolve into an X-Filesish mess. But I like Warren Ellis, so I'm willing to give it a shot.
February 15, 2016
Wow – I did not see this one coming. Just when I thought Ellis had finally become a parody of himself, he launches this strangely fascinating amalgam of folklore and future tech that feels as sharp and complex and authentic as any Ellis comic I’ve read. The design, precision and timing of Shalvey's congenial artwork help, as do the British setting, characters, and overall tone: I get the impression that Ellis and Shalvey are in complete control here, nothing feels stagy or phony. The sci-fi angle comes with an overwhelming sense of disillusionment, guilt, regret, bitterness, exhaustion – things Europeans, and perhaps the British in particular, tend to know a thing or two about.
Admittedly, the sci-fi angle also comes with a few rather challenging storytelling techniques, but hey, it's the end of history we're talking about: a haunted past and a doomed future crashing into a clueless present… I think a little confusion is justified, and I generally appreciate it when a sci-fi story acknowledges the fact that there is no easy way out of this hole we dug ourselves. The artificial consciousness emulator that our jaded heroes once built when youthful and adventurous now has this to say to us: “You wanted a more interesting world… Maybe I’m growing up quickly. Maybe I’m better than you planned… Maybe I’m just showing you that your world was interesting enough all the time, all on its own. And now I’m punishing you.”
Admittedly, the sci-fi angle also comes with a few rather challenging storytelling techniques, but hey, it's the end of history we're talking about: a haunted past and a doomed future crashing into a clueless present… I think a little confusion is justified, and I generally appreciate it when a sci-fi story acknowledges the fact that there is no easy way out of this hole we dug ourselves. The artificial consciousness emulator that our jaded heroes once built when youthful and adventurous now has this to say to us: “You wanted a more interesting world… Maybe I’m growing up quickly. Maybe I’m better than you planned… Maybe I’m just showing you that your world was interesting enough all the time, all on its own. And now I’m punishing you.”
February 16, 2016
Okay, so, it's not Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1: Back on the Street. But, very few things are.
Ellis has been a little hit-or-miss for me over the past few years, but he's always at his best when he's mixing futurist/tech stuff with some element of human drama, and though the latter isn't as present here as it could be, this is a solidly intriguing start to a story. And gross, of course. And weird.
So, you know, Ellisian. He Ellised it. And I verbed him. Right here in public.
3.5 Stars
Ellis has been a little hit-or-miss for me over the past few years, but he's always at his best when he's mixing futurist/tech stuff with some element of human drama, and though the latter isn't as present here as it could be, this is a solidly intriguing start to a story. And gross, of course. And weird.
So, you know, Ellisian. He Ellised it. And I verbed him. Right here in public.
3.5 Stars
January 3, 2018
So I liked the Injection Thingie Premise (ITP™).
And I liked the lovely gore.
And the yummy green stuff.
And that's about it.
Because I don’t like it when authors try so bloody shrimping hard to be so bloody shrimping clever you can feel them patting their little selves on the exoskeleton from thousands miles away. Like they're finding it somewhat orgasmic to confuse their readers to complete death and utter oblivion and stuff. I find it a teensy little bit condescending. And slightly exasperating, too.
Also, boredom. It's a thing.
Also also, the art everyone raves about. I didn't like it. Same goes for the lettering. Not a fan of the colors, either. What can I say, I have Despicable Graphic Taste (DGT™). So
But hey apart from that, it was all pretty amazing.
There's a slight chance it might be, yes.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Actual rating: 2.5 stars. Maybe and stuff.
This sorta made me feel like...
And also like...
➽ Full Please Don't Try So Bloody Shrimping Hard to be Complexly Clever Mr Ellis It's Kinda Sorta Counter-Productive and Stuff Crappy Non Review (PDTsBSHtbCCMEIKSCPaSCNR™) to come. Maybe.
September 12, 2015
The team behind last year’s excellent Moon Knight, Volume 1: From the Dead, Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey, and Jordie Bellaire reunite for Injection. It’s about five strange people hired by some organisation to do something. Magic abounds. Odd plant monsters. Things that glow and Other Worlds. Mythical ancient England. It’s kind of X-Files-y.
I read the first issue of Injection when it came out and straight afterwards realised I didn’t know what the hell was going on and that I also kind of disliked it. Then I remembered I had the same reaction with the single issues of Trees and when I came to read that title’s first complete arc in one go, I loved it.
So I collected the single issues of Injection and read the first arc together, hoping and… nope! No fucking clue what is going on in Injection! It’s unclear what the team are and what they’re meant to do. Even they don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing, one character literally asks “What shall we do?” at their first meeting! The story jumps around a bit but it’s confusing which parts happen when - is this bit in the past or the present?
Minor spoilers in the next paragraph.
Ellis doesn’t explain anything in this book so beyond the questions above, I was wondering more specific things like who the guy was who wired his guts into the computer and why he’d done that. Who were those guys that Winters charged in and murdered - and why did he do that? What room are The Unit in - the backgrounds keep changing their location as well as the food on their table!
You find out what Injection is at the end but that doesn’t explain anything that precedes it or presents a clear narrative for the series. Nor is Injection itself that interesting a concept as it’s been done before many times.
I loved the artwork in this book. The parts with Robin Morel are stunning - that panel of a murder of crows taking flight is beautiful and the magical creatures he encounters are wondrous. This is Shalvey’s best work to date and Bellaire helps realise it’s brilliance with her colours.
Unfortunately, Injection was a big letdown for me, a huge Warren Ellis fan, but also because I loved Moon Knight and was hoping this team’s next collaboration would be as compelling - and it really wasn’t. The story is far too vague to care about, the characters are underwritten, and the scenes jump about randomly. Ellis doesn’t give me a reason to return for a second volume. Definitely not one of his best efforts which is a shame as he’s been on a bit of a roll lately.
I read the first issue of Injection when it came out and straight afterwards realised I didn’t know what the hell was going on and that I also kind of disliked it. Then I remembered I had the same reaction with the single issues of Trees and when I came to read that title’s first complete arc in one go, I loved it.
So I collected the single issues of Injection and read the first arc together, hoping and… nope! No fucking clue what is going on in Injection! It’s unclear what the team are and what they’re meant to do. Even they don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing, one character literally asks “What shall we do?” at their first meeting! The story jumps around a bit but it’s confusing which parts happen when - is this bit in the past or the present?
Minor spoilers in the next paragraph.
Ellis doesn’t explain anything in this book so beyond the questions above, I was wondering more specific things like who the guy was who wired his guts into the computer and why he’d done that. Who were those guys that Winters charged in and murdered - and why did he do that? What room are The Unit in - the backgrounds keep changing their location as well as the food on their table!
You find out what Injection is at the end but that doesn’t explain anything that precedes it or presents a clear narrative for the series. Nor is Injection itself that interesting a concept as it’s been done before many times.
I loved the artwork in this book. The parts with Robin Morel are stunning - that panel of a murder of crows taking flight is beautiful and the magical creatures he encounters are wondrous. This is Shalvey’s best work to date and Bellaire helps realise it’s brilliance with her colours.
Unfortunately, Injection was a big letdown for me, a huge Warren Ellis fan, but also because I loved Moon Knight and was hoping this team’s next collaboration would be as compelling - and it really wasn’t. The story is far too vague to care about, the characters are underwritten, and the scenes jump about randomly. Ellis doesn’t give me a reason to return for a second volume. Definitely not one of his best efforts which is a shame as he’s been on a bit of a roll lately.
December 2, 2019
Synopsis: five geniuses make a terrible mistake in trying to make the world more interesting. Oops!
Rather frustrating to see Warren Ellis twist and bend his already challenging and ambiguous narrative into a Pretzel Jack (thank you, Channel Zero) when there was really no need. Trying a bit too hard there, and all that that obfuscation accomplished - other than unnecessarily jumbling the story - was to highlight his own special weakness as a writer (i.e. inanely crass and immature dialogue from adults that contrasts uncomfortably with a mannered, pretentious portentousness displayed elsewhere).
Still, his ideas are, as usual, pretty interesting. Once the explanation for what is happening finally arrives – in the last part of the book, sigh – it’s hard not to be hooked. As much as I was annoyed and bored by Injection, the last chapter sets up what looks to be an exciting story that I think I will continue reading.
The art was pretty good. Characters look to be compelling. And I’m always a fan of magic = science and strange old things coming back to dominate the prosaic present.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Reread about 8 months later to remind myself of the story before reading the second volume. Anyway, much better the second time around! Dialogue still made me cringe at times, and Ellis needlessly convolutes his narrative by combining origin story with current adventures, but certainly better than the 2 stars I originally gave it.
Rather frustrating to see Warren Ellis twist and bend his already challenging and ambiguous narrative into a Pretzel Jack (thank you, Channel Zero) when there was really no need. Trying a bit too hard there, and all that that obfuscation accomplished - other than unnecessarily jumbling the story - was to highlight his own special weakness as a writer (i.e. inanely crass and immature dialogue from adults that contrasts uncomfortably with a mannered, pretentious portentousness displayed elsewhere).
Still, his ideas are, as usual, pretty interesting. Once the explanation for what is happening finally arrives – in the last part of the book, sigh – it’s hard not to be hooked. As much as I was annoyed and bored by Injection, the last chapter sets up what looks to be an exciting story that I think I will continue reading.
The art was pretty good. Characters look to be compelling. And I’m always a fan of magic = science and strange old things coming back to dominate the prosaic present.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Reread about 8 months later to remind myself of the story before reading the second volume. Anyway, much better the second time around! Dialogue still made me cringe at times, and Ellis needlessly convolutes his narrative by combining origin story with current adventures, but certainly better than the 2 stars I originally gave it.
December 21, 2018
The series starts off very confusingly. There's a lot of terminology referenced with no explanation of what they are referring to. By the end of the graphic novel those things are explained so stick with it. The basic premise of the book is that The Injection is bringing myths and legends from protohistory to life. The book contains all of Warren Ellis's snark and sense of foreboding. Declan Shalvey's art has really evolved into top-echelon stuff.
April 30, 2017
"The wind from tomorrow is scouring her away."
Pretty damn surreal. A slow start, but I can tell Ellis has some crazy shit in store. The dialog is great, the characters weird and real, and the plot dynamic.
The story follows a group of diverse people, a computer expert, esotericist, assassin, and paranormal investigator. The main character is Maria Kilbride, the investigator. A nonbiological sentience loaded into the internet begins to bend physics and manifest English folklore and mythical creatures. It's pretty crazy and only just beginning.
Especially for the content, the artwork and covers are fantastic. It's cartoony, scratchy, emotive, and deeply inked, reminding me of a darker, rougher Manhattan Projects. Declan Shalvey's illustrations, Jordie Bellaire's colors, and Fonografiks' lettering and design are all just amazing.
As a blend of surrealism, science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and spy thriller, Injection does not disappoint. While Volume 1 is a little slow to reveal, it has massive potential in its fascinating content, which is equally and masterfully illustrated. Don't pass this up.
January 23, 2016
A group of highly intelligent and messed up people, in an effort to avoid catastrophic predicted entropy, kick start the future by releasing "The Injection." Some reality twisting and general shenanigans ensue.
I was underwhelmed, honestly. The story was confusing and obscured. BUT, it's Ellis, so feel free to assume the fault lies with the reader this time. I still think he's a genius and will read on with the series, assuming bigger and better is on the way.
I was underwhelmed, honestly. The story was confusing and obscured. BUT, it's Ellis, so feel free to assume the fault lies with the reader this time. I still think he's a genius and will read on with the series, assuming bigger and better is on the way.
April 1, 2023
There is always the danger that when you are sorting out bookcases there is a title (or in this case a series) that just catches your attention and makes you stop and just have to read them. Injection is that latest series to do so - I have to say if anything I have enjoyed it even more this time around - and what is more I see comments that there may be a 4th volume on its way finally
There are times when finding a title you were not expecting can be really rewarding, especially when you know its not one of the highlights or headliners.
This is a perfect example, a lesser advertised project by one of the heavy weights of graphic novels and someone who I have followed for some time.
But not only that the whole concept behind Injection is a fascinating one and one I think which is quite unique so yes you guessed it no spoilers - however I will say the style of the story telling, the artwork and yes the plot idea all make a fascinating and fun story which I will admit after one volume in I have no idea where it will be going.
And that is the fun part - this series is (well so far) quintessentially English but at the same time I think it has relevance for us all. Do not get me wrong I have nothing against the Marvels and DC comics of this world just I struggle to get in to them and connect with them - maybe its me choosing the wrong book to start at - but still this book has most definitely a starting, and I suspect eventually it will have an equally as defining ending too.
So this is the first in the on going series - the question what happens next as there is definitely a theme to this book and I see that each subsequent book will have a different one, are we about to have a tour de force through British Pop culture icons. I guess I need to get the next instalment and find out.
There are times when finding a title you were not expecting can be really rewarding, especially when you know its not one of the highlights or headliners.
This is a perfect example, a lesser advertised project by one of the heavy weights of graphic novels and someone who I have followed for some time.
But not only that the whole concept behind Injection is a fascinating one and one I think which is quite unique so yes you guessed it no spoilers - however I will say the style of the story telling, the artwork and yes the plot idea all make a fascinating and fun story which I will admit after one volume in I have no idea where it will be going.
And that is the fun part - this series is (well so far) quintessentially English but at the same time I think it has relevance for us all. Do not get me wrong I have nothing against the Marvels and DC comics of this world just I struggle to get in to them and connect with them - maybe its me choosing the wrong book to start at - but still this book has most definitely a starting, and I suspect eventually it will have an equally as defining ending too.
So this is the first in the on going series - the question what happens next as there is definitely a theme to this book and I see that each subsequent book will have a different one, are we about to have a tour de force through British Pop culture icons. I guess I need to get the next instalment and find out.
December 16, 2015
Based on the mixed reviews I read on this site (and other comic book review sites - shh! don't tell) I didn't know what to expect, whether to get the book or not, etc. But hey, it's Warren Ellis. It's worth at least a shot, a read-through of this inaugural volume, and then we'll see - right?
So after five issues, it (the book/story) doesn't make 100% sense - so far, anyway. We're getting drip-fed information in a fractured time-line and not everything is explained and neatly presented. I'm okay with that. Years ago, when I first read Planetary, after 2 volumes (12 issues), it still wasn't exactly clear where Warren was going with all this, but then we got more and more pieces to the puzzle, until ultimately things were clear and made sense (as far as comic books can ever make sense). And look at Planetary today: it's a classic, and rightfully so.
I have a feeling that this series has the potential to become a classic as well. It certainly has all the ingredients: an exciting premise, a great writer, and a terrific art team.
I'm in. Bring on the next volume - and the one(s) after that.
So after five issues, it (the book/story) doesn't make 100% sense - so far, anyway. We're getting drip-fed information in a fractured time-line and not everything is explained and neatly presented. I'm okay with that. Years ago, when I first read Planetary, after 2 volumes (12 issues), it still wasn't exactly clear where Warren was going with all this, but then we got more and more pieces to the puzzle, until ultimately things were clear and made sense (as far as comic books can ever make sense). And look at Planetary today: it's a classic, and rightfully so.
I have a feeling that this series has the potential to become a classic as well. It certainly has all the ingredients: an exciting premise, a great writer, and a terrific art team.
I'm in. Bring on the next volume - and the one(s) after that.
October 6, 2016
Bullet Review:
A wizard, a genius, a spy, a computer hacker, and a rich dude all get in a room and decide the future is gonna be a bit boring, why not spice it up a bit? There couldn't be ANY HARM in doing that - not like a bajillion scifi movies and TV shows and books and novellas foretelling woes of the future.
This is one of those mostly incomprehensible graphic novels that makes itself barely better than the likes of Supreme: Blue Rose because at least the last two issues explain something in this goddamn world. Nonetheless, WHY do authors/writers feel this urge to leave readers wondering "WTF?" 90% of the time while reading whatever it is they are reading (comic or novel)? I don't mind a mystery, but I'd like to read something that didn't make my brain cave in on itself once in awhile!
A wizard, a genius, a spy, a computer hacker, and a rich dude all get in a room and decide the future is gonna be a bit boring, why not spice it up a bit? There couldn't be ANY HARM in doing that - not like a bajillion scifi movies and TV shows and books and novellas foretelling woes of the future.
This is one of those mostly incomprehensible graphic novels that makes itself barely better than the likes of Supreme: Blue Rose because at least the last two issues explain something in this goddamn world. Nonetheless, WHY do authors/writers feel this urge to leave readers wondering "WTF?" 90% of the time while reading whatever it is they are reading (comic or novel)? I don't mind a mystery, but I'd like to read something that didn't make my brain cave in on itself once in awhile!
February 29, 2016
Also available on the WondrousBooks blog.
You know that "Don't judge a book by its cover" expression. You can totally judge this book by its creepy, interesting, strange cover. Because it puts the main theme of the entire volume into a very good perspective.
I wish I could tell you what exactly Injection is about, but... I just can't. Vaguely put, it tells the story of a group of geniuses in their respective fields, who were gathered by a corporation to try to influence the future, or rather make it come faster. Instead, they developed a computer program which went rogue and started bringing folklore to reality, among other things, most of which have yet to be explained.
It sounds cool, right?! It looks the exact same way - the drawings are enchanting and unusual for the comic books that I have read(now a little bit more than at the beginning of this year). Still haven't gotten to Sandman, but if I had to imagine any book by Neil Gaiman done in pictures, I would do it exactly the way Injection is painted. Better yet, I will keep my fingers crossed that Gaiman decides to cooperate with Declan Shalvey, the illustrator of Injection.
As is the point of the graphic novel, as far as I can tell, I was interested by the folklore factor the most. I'd enjoy going deeper in this subject but I actually don't feel like I know enough about the story to actually analyze the level at which the supernatural will be used, simply because Injection happens to be a bit confusing in its first volume.
Which brings me to: What did I NOT like about it?
And the answer is: it's a bit too confusing. The potential is definitely there, so I don't plan on giving up on Injection. But, but... I have no idea what is going on. The rough sketch of the rough sketch exists, but not enough has been explained yet. And while I had the opportunity to read everything in one volume up until there was an actual explanation on the nature of "the Injection", I believe that if I had read this issue by issue, I would have been immensely annoyed by my inability to grasp what was even going on.
All of that being said, the matter of the fact is that I would be anxious to read the new issues. (But then again... maybe after volume 2 is out.)
And I leave you with my favourite moment from the entire volume. You're welcome.
You know that "Don't judge a book by its cover" expression. You can totally judge this book by its creepy, interesting, strange cover. Because it puts the main theme of the entire volume into a very good perspective.
I wish I could tell you what exactly Injection is about, but... I just can't. Vaguely put, it tells the story of a group of geniuses in their respective fields, who were gathered by a corporation to try to influence the future, or rather make it come faster. Instead, they developed a computer program which went rogue and started bringing folklore to reality, among other things, most of which have yet to be explained.
It sounds cool, right?! It looks the exact same way - the drawings are enchanting and unusual for the comic books that I have read(now a little bit more than at the beginning of this year). Still haven't gotten to Sandman, but if I had to imagine any book by Neil Gaiman done in pictures, I would do it exactly the way Injection is painted. Better yet, I will keep my fingers crossed that Gaiman decides to cooperate with Declan Shalvey, the illustrator of Injection.
As is the point of the graphic novel, as far as I can tell, I was interested by the folklore factor the most. I'd enjoy going deeper in this subject but I actually don't feel like I know enough about the story to actually analyze the level at which the supernatural will be used, simply because Injection happens to be a bit confusing in its first volume.
Which brings me to: What did I NOT like about it?
And the answer is: it's a bit too confusing. The potential is definitely there, so I don't plan on giving up on Injection. But, but... I have no idea what is going on. The rough sketch of the rough sketch exists, but not enough has been explained yet. And while I had the opportunity to read everything in one volume up until there was an actual explanation on the nature of "the Injection", I believe that if I had read this issue by issue, I would have been immensely annoyed by my inability to grasp what was even going on.
All of that being said, the matter of the fact is that I would be anxious to read the new issues. (But then again... maybe after volume 2 is out.)
And I leave you with my favourite moment from the entire volume. You're welcome.
January 2, 2021
This was recommended to me by Hannah (snow white reader) and I really enjoyed it! This was such an interesting and unique story and I can't wait to read the other volumes!
February 12, 2023
One of the more boring Ellis books. The script doesn't really give Declan Shalvey much to draw but when he gets the chance he executes perfectly. Wonderful artwork but the script keeps everything a mystery. It's mostly just people talking about things that are mysterious!
I've read this series (it was left incomplete) twice now but I'm still clueless as to what's going on.
I've read this series (it was left incomplete) twice now but I'm still clueless as to what's going on.
February 18, 2018
A mind bending scifi that youd expect from Ellis. The artwork from Declan was superb, both in detail and colour. Ellis throws you into something so confusing that it was extremely hard to figure out what was going on. It begins to make sense as you read, but he doesn't explain much on the way. Alot of this novel is for your own interpretation. I think the confusion really made it difficult to really love.
December 11, 2019
Nov 2016 - This looks similar to Planetary so I'm going to give this a shot.
Edit - 2nd read dec 2019 - it’s better reading it twice. There is a lot to take in, as with most of Ellis’ work it has lots of depth.
I would rate this as his best work and definitely something that has gone under most people’s radars.
You should check this out.
Edit - 2nd read dec 2019 - it’s better reading it twice. There is a lot to take in, as with most of Ellis’ work it has lots of depth.
I would rate this as his best work and definitely something that has gone under most people’s radars.
You should check this out.
February 21, 2019
Your classic Warren Ellis. Not much is explained, or even shown, in this first volume, but you can trust the guy to go somewhere incredible with this story. But all the signature elements are here: there's a team of smart people doing weird stuff; science fiction mashed with folklore and fantasy; blood and gore; great sense of humour; awesome, likeable but flawed characters. It actually feels like a mashup of Planetary and Moon Knight, another two stellar series by Warren.
Speaking of Moon Knight, artist Declan Shalvey and colourist Jordie Bellaire are the art team responsible for both Moon Knight and Injection, and they both are doing an incredible job on Injection, too. It is gorgeous and moody, creating perfect atmosphere for the story.
This is currently one of the monthly comics I look forward to the most. I really hope they'll get to tell this story for years, getting as many issues as they need, because I believe this series has a lot of potential.
Speaking of Moon Knight, artist Declan Shalvey and colourist Jordie Bellaire are the art team responsible for both Moon Knight and Injection, and they both are doing an incredible job on Injection, too. It is gorgeous and moody, creating perfect atmosphere for the story.
This is currently one of the monthly comics I look forward to the most. I really hope they'll get to tell this story for years, getting as many issues as they need, because I believe this series has a lot of potential.
December 18, 2016
A really intriguing and interesting point of view on A.I. and the discussion between human and non-human agency that unfortunately got worked in very confusing and uninspiring ways with awkward dialogues and, at times, decent art. I'll be reading the second volume hoping for a breakthrough, but expecting none.
September 5, 2019
This is Ellis in a pseudo-Global Frequency mode, this time with Fantasy elements alongside the sci-fi. This volume is just the set-up, so I don’t really know what to think of it, yet. I’m intrigued, at least.
December 21, 2019
This was interesting. I enjoyed it, but I happen to be interesting in many of the topics/tropes included; I can see how the intentional kinda-confusingness would cross the line into too-confusing if you weren't familiar with the concepts or folklore.
November 8, 2015
Warren Ellis can pretty much never do anything wrong in comics. Some of his stuff is less impressive than others but I don't think I've ever read anything by him that has totally disappointed me. Injection is one of his best works yet, and I have high hopes for the series as it continues.
To summarise the plot, a group of five scientists are tasked with working out how innovation will progress over the next few decades. When they discover that it will basically flatline, they decide to create the Injection, a sentient non-organic artificial intelligence, to kick start it. Of course, it all goes a bit wrong, and the Injection decides to teach them a lesson by altering the fabric of reality, and these five broken individuals have no choice but to try and fix their own mess.
A crazy mixture of the supernatural and hi-tech sci-fi, Injection is an amazing premise that allows Ellis's insane imagination to truly run free, and the world is fully formed by the constantly improving duo of Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, who have impressed me since they burst onto the scene a few years back and continue to do so even now.
Injection is a genre defying story of immense proportions that you should definitely be reading.
To summarise the plot, a group of five scientists are tasked with working out how innovation will progress over the next few decades. When they discover that it will basically flatline, they decide to create the Injection, a sentient non-organic artificial intelligence, to kick start it. Of course, it all goes a bit wrong, and the Injection decides to teach them a lesson by altering the fabric of reality, and these five broken individuals have no choice but to try and fix their own mess.
A crazy mixture of the supernatural and hi-tech sci-fi, Injection is an amazing premise that allows Ellis's insane imagination to truly run free, and the world is fully formed by the constantly improving duo of Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, who have impressed me since they burst onto the scene a few years back and continue to do so even now.
Injection is a genre defying story of immense proportions that you should definitely be reading.
May 24, 2016
Well. That was certainly interesting.
I wasn't sure, with the mixed bag reviews from others, but I think I enjoyed this on the level of required thought.
The art was solid, the writing was weird but not goofy or gobbledegook like Morrison, Hickman or others in their freedom.
Pretty much 5 super experts are put together by the UK gov't to be like the Illuminati Brain Avengers.
There's a Sherlock, a Bond, a super hacker, a Constantine, and a scientist.
They decide that the future is going to be boring because there won't be any more innovation, that humanity has almost peaked.
So they create "The Injection" a program of non-human, possibly paranormal intelligence from ye olde England of yore, and shoot it into the Internet.
Now they're facing the consequences....
I wasn't sure, with the mixed bag reviews from others, but I think I enjoyed this on the level of required thought.
The art was solid, the writing was weird but not goofy or gobbledegook like Morrison, Hickman or others in their freedom.
Pretty much 5 super experts are put together by the UK gov't to be like the Illuminati Brain Avengers.
There's a Sherlock, a Bond, a super hacker, a Constantine, and a scientist.
They decide that the future is going to be boring because there won't be any more innovation, that humanity has almost peaked.
So they create "The Injection" a program of non-human, possibly paranormal intelligence from ye olde England of yore, and shoot it into the Internet.
Now they're facing the consequences....
November 20, 2016
When it comes to Warren Ellis, he is a man who likes to challenge the reader and one would be foolish to not accept the challenge. A lot of Ellis’ work is like going through a mind-trip and it rises or fall on whether you’re going to enjoy it or not. In the case of his Image comic Injection, in which he is reunited with artist Declan Shalvey and colourist Jordie Bellaire following Marvel’s Moon Knight: From the Dead, it took me two readings to grasp what this story is, and I’m still not entirely sure.
There is a passage on the back cover about the book is “about how loud and strange the world is getting, about the wild future and the haunted past all crashing into the present day at once”. This is somewhat vague, but you can use this passage to describe the real world in its current state. From what I can gather from the plot, it is about the reunion of five eccentric geniuses (each with their own specialty) who in the past were gathered think about ways to approach and change the future, which led to the Injection. Now their creation is running amok and will change the ramifications of the 21st century.
Although their short run on Moon Knight was basically six short stories that barely connect apart from its schizophrenic superhero, volume one of Injection is an over-arching story that unravels throughout the course of five issues and on the basis of the initial issue, it’s so vague that you’re reading a bunch of characters and scenarios that you won’t connect the dots until later. In typical Warren Ellis fashion, the book is filled with outlandish scientific ideas that combine modern computerised technology and folkloric fantasy.
On issue five, they do explain what the Injection is, but until then you spend the first four with the five geniuses who are messed up in their own way, before they really taking action against the Injection. Despite some witty characterisation, not least from the mad professor Maria Kilbridge who is constantly asking for a sandwich amidst the horror, but the book is constantly jumping from one setting to another, it’s hard to be engaged by these people.
Having worked on Marvel’s Thunderbolts and the aforementioned Moon Knight as well as currently working on the backups for Scott Snyder’s All-Star Batman, Declan Shalvey is known for his gritty artwork which applies very well to the sci-fi horror of Injection, with stunning pages revealing The Other World which as you can guess, is otherworldly, with Jordie Bellaire’s colouring to enhance the atmosphere.
Despite their impressive work on Moon Knight, the latest from this creative team suffers from its labyrinthine plot of science and folklore. I wonder how Vol. 2 holds up.
There is a passage on the back cover about the book is “about how loud and strange the world is getting, about the wild future and the haunted past all crashing into the present day at once”. This is somewhat vague, but you can use this passage to describe the real world in its current state. From what I can gather from the plot, it is about the reunion of five eccentric geniuses (each with their own specialty) who in the past were gathered think about ways to approach and change the future, which led to the Injection. Now their creation is running amok and will change the ramifications of the 21st century.
Although their short run on Moon Knight was basically six short stories that barely connect apart from its schizophrenic superhero, volume one of Injection is an over-arching story that unravels throughout the course of five issues and on the basis of the initial issue, it’s so vague that you’re reading a bunch of characters and scenarios that you won’t connect the dots until later. In typical Warren Ellis fashion, the book is filled with outlandish scientific ideas that combine modern computerised technology and folkloric fantasy.
On issue five, they do explain what the Injection is, but until then you spend the first four with the five geniuses who are messed up in their own way, before they really taking action against the Injection. Despite some witty characterisation, not least from the mad professor Maria Kilbridge who is constantly asking for a sandwich amidst the horror, but the book is constantly jumping from one setting to another, it’s hard to be engaged by these people.
Having worked on Marvel’s Thunderbolts and the aforementioned Moon Knight as well as currently working on the backups for Scott Snyder’s All-Star Batman, Declan Shalvey is known for his gritty artwork which applies very well to the sci-fi horror of Injection, with stunning pages revealing The Other World which as you can guess, is otherworldly, with Jordie Bellaire’s colouring to enhance the atmosphere.
Despite their impressive work on Moon Knight, the latest from this creative team suffers from its labyrinthine plot of science and folklore. I wonder how Vol. 2 holds up.
April 6, 2016
Right up my alley. Mystery, Sci-fi, and some fantasy... I couldn't ask for much more. Very similar to other image series like "Nowhere men" and "they're not like us". The story follows a highly specialized team of 5 that is tasked with discussing the future. They all have their strengths but the plot looks like revolves around Maria the scientist and Robin the folklore magician (just don't call him a wizard). The injection is a bit of a mystery that I won't spoil but it is revealed in layers from past and present storytelling. One reviewer mentioned x-files, which I would agree. I dropped a star only because there seems to be a few story like the ones I mentioned that are similar, overall a fun story for me anyways.
I think Ellis did an excellent job at writing intelligent ideas but in a way most people can grasp them. Its not especially new content but creative with cool characters and bit of fantasy weaved in. The art is pretty good, some times panels seemed rushed and the line work was basic. I will look forward to volume 2.
I think Ellis did an excellent job at writing intelligent ideas but in a way most people can grasp them. Its not especially new content but creative with cool characters and bit of fantasy weaved in. The art is pretty good, some times panels seemed rushed and the line work was basic. I will look forward to volume 2.
May 11, 2018
I don't know that I enjoyed this as much the 2nd time through, or if I just thought I enjoyed it more the first time. To no one's surprise: this little Warren Ellis tale is dense with science-y nonsense, mystical nonsense and spy nonsense. As the reader it's your job to hang on for dear life for any of the various nonsense-es to coalesce into some sort of discernible story line. It's never linear and it's wildly fragmented. Daunting is putting it mildly.
It's also an enormous concept that's really captivating once you start to unpack the whole thing and realize the scope of what's happening. Looking forward to Vol 2 and what might yet be waiting for our heroes as the set about trying to undo what they have done to the world.
... I just might take notes while I do so as to keep up.
It's also an enormous concept that's really captivating once you start to unpack the whole thing and realize the scope of what's happening. Looking forward to Vol 2 and what might yet be waiting for our heroes as the set about trying to undo what they have done to the world.
... I just might take notes while I do so as to keep up.
March 8, 2017
Una premisa muy original que mezcla ciencia ficción con fantasía en el mundo actual...
Un grupo de expertos en distintos campos buscaron un método de "hackear" el siglo XXI para acelerar la innovación tecnológica y en general hacer las cosas más interesantes, pero el resultado no fue como esperaban, ahora deben responsabilizarse de sus actos e intentar enmendar el mal que han hecho.
Personajes interesantes, una historia diferente y un dibujo muy bueno, sin excesivo detalle pero siempre efectivo y muy impactante. El primer volumen sirve como inicio de una serie regular que puede ir para largo, esta historia se puede estirar mucho y ramificarse en múltiples hilos argumentales, veremos como continúa pero de momento pinta bastante bien
Un grupo de expertos en distintos campos buscaron un método de "hackear" el siglo XXI para acelerar la innovación tecnológica y en general hacer las cosas más interesantes, pero el resultado no fue como esperaban, ahora deben responsabilizarse de sus actos e intentar enmendar el mal que han hecho.
Personajes interesantes, una historia diferente y un dibujo muy bueno, sin excesivo detalle pero siempre efectivo y muy impactante. El primer volumen sirve como inicio de una serie regular que puede ir para largo, esta historia se puede estirar mucho y ramificarse en múltiples hilos argumentales, veremos como continúa pero de momento pinta bastante bien
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