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Injection #2
Injection, Vol. 2
Consulting detective Vivek Headland tackles a case involving a stolen ghost, but when human deli meat causes him to call for help the details of his investigation reveal a new battleground between humanity and The Injection.
Collect: Injection 6-10
Collect: Injection 6-10
120 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2016
20 people are currently reading
847 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,959 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
May 7, 2017
I love this series, and I was delighted to find that the second volume was out. (A lot of Ellis's series, for some reason, seems to just last long enough to show up in one trade paperback... then it stops.)
If anything, I think I enjoyed this second volume even more than the first, it puts a different character in the spotlight, and he's every bit as facinating as the ones we met early on.
Very worth your time, especially if you're into folklore and non-superhero comics.
If anything, I think I enjoyed this second volume even more than the first, it puts a different character in the spotlight, and he's every bit as facinating as the ones we met early on.
Very worth your time, especially if you're into folklore and non-superhero comics.
December 2, 2019
Ellis takes a big leap forward with this excellent second installment in his fascinating series. Gone is the pretentiously jangled storytelling of the first volume, and the self-consciously snarky dialogue is both reduced and better deployed. What remains are the intriguing ideas (a malign computer virus/supernatural threat is recreating terrible myths & legends to plague the present) and the purposely iconic but still layered characters (a super-team that I just now realized has white people in the minority, which is super-refreshing). Volume 2 is all about the solving of a mystery, one involving ghosts, ghost sex, a bicep served for lunch, a cult, the Philospher's Stone, and a lot of absorbing back story for the featured team member - this time it's Black Sherlock Holmes, who turns out to be just as fun as the last volume's Lady Mad Scientist. This was a dark treat that I enjoyed from beginning to end. And the art's pretty fantastic too.
June 9, 2016
The Injection is a massive rogue artificial machine-learning system that is operating uncontrolled somewhere in the ether. Detective Vivek Headland and his colleagues, who created Injection, are trying to find it while another group, Rubedo, are trying to capture it, believing it’s the Philosopher’s Stone. But what does a stolen ghost and a slab of human bicep meat have to do with it??
The Moon Knight creative team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire continue to produce an interesting but mystifying story with Injection Volume 2. That said I found the second book more accessible than the first mostly because this one follows Detective Headland and his tough guy butler Red as they investigate the weird case of a rich dude, the ghost of his mistress, and his dead son; it’s still nutty but less abstract than the overarching storyline and more enjoyable too.
Where I find Injection so bewildering is how this missing ghost/cannibalism case ties into the storyline of the rogue artificial intelligence. Not that I’ve really understood what the storyline there is anyway: why was the Injection created and what’s it trying to do – is it good or bad? But it isn’t just that, there are other baffling scenes like Vivek’s sex scene where he changes partners and locations with each panel – whuuh!? There’s also a sequence where Vivek appears at different times in history – is he immortal?! Vivek also spends several pages trying to convince Robin Morel to join the Breaker’s Yard (whatever that is) for some reason – Robin’s also got a kinda lightsaber weapon! Uh… (pulped brain starts pouring out of my ears.)
The book is a little overwritten for what it is: odd, highly paid people talking about doing inscrutable things while Vivek plays Sherlock Holmes to an investigation that doesn’t really go anywhere or add up to anything – there’s so much talking and the reader is left none the wiser on what’s happening. It’s a slow moving read and quite unengaging for the most part despite Ellis’ trademark salty quips thrown in. Declan Shalvey’s art is quite good though and Jordie Bellaire’s colours are excellent as always - lots of definition, very cool veneer.
Injection is a more sophisticated Scooby Doo-type mystery comic that’s borderline incomprehensible – if that sounds appealing to you, have at it! Even die-hard Ellis fans like myself though are going to have a hard time finding stuff to like in this series.
The Moon Knight creative team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire continue to produce an interesting but mystifying story with Injection Volume 2. That said I found the second book more accessible than the first mostly because this one follows Detective Headland and his tough guy butler Red as they investigate the weird case of a rich dude, the ghost of his mistress, and his dead son; it’s still nutty but less abstract than the overarching storyline and more enjoyable too.
Where I find Injection so bewildering is how this missing ghost/cannibalism case ties into the storyline of the rogue artificial intelligence. Not that I’ve really understood what the storyline there is anyway: why was the Injection created and what’s it trying to do – is it good or bad? But it isn’t just that, there are other baffling scenes like Vivek’s sex scene where he changes partners and locations with each panel – whuuh!? There’s also a sequence where Vivek appears at different times in history – is he immortal?! Vivek also spends several pages trying to convince Robin Morel to join the Breaker’s Yard (whatever that is) for some reason – Robin’s also got a kinda lightsaber weapon! Uh… (pulped brain starts pouring out of my ears.)
The book is a little overwritten for what it is: odd, highly paid people talking about doing inscrutable things while Vivek plays Sherlock Holmes to an investigation that doesn’t really go anywhere or add up to anything – there’s so much talking and the reader is left none the wiser on what’s happening. It’s a slow moving read and quite unengaging for the most part despite Ellis’ trademark salty quips thrown in. Declan Shalvey’s art is quite good though and Jordie Bellaire’s colours are excellent as always - lots of definition, very cool veneer.
Injection is a more sophisticated Scooby Doo-type mystery comic that’s borderline incomprehensible – if that sounds appealing to you, have at it! Even die-hard Ellis fans like myself though are going to have a hard time finding stuff to like in this series.
January 31, 2025
Weird in a good way
December 22, 2017
This volume focuses on Vivek Headland, a blatant Sherlock Holmes ripoff, as he takes a case of a financier whose picture of his lover and his son has been stolen and is having sex with the ghost of his lover. The story is easier to follow but still contains passages that are obtuse and borderline incomprehensible. (Yeah, I'm talking to you, weird-ass sex scene.) It all eventually comes back to the Injection as I'm sure all these stories will. While the dialogue is still crackling and full of wit, the story and characters are not all that great.
Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire provide some electrifying art. This is the best work of their careers.
Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire provide some electrifying art. This is the best work of their careers.
December 12, 2019
This is bloody excellent.
Give me an omnibus of this immediately!
This has influences of the watchmen, planetary, BPRD and the league of extraordinary gentleman.
It's bloody great.
They inject an artificial intelligence into the internet to speed up human interaction in technology, to evolve our society, but the AI has other ideas.
A must read.
Give me an omnibus of this immediately!
This has influences of the watchmen, planetary, BPRD and the league of extraordinary gentleman.
It's bloody great.
They inject an artificial intelligence into the internet to speed up human interaction in technology, to evolve our society, but the AI has other ideas.
A must read.
August 15, 2016
This book was a treat to read, for the mind as well as for the eyes! Leave it to Warren Ellis to come up with wacky characters and plots seasoned with equal parts occult and technology, but what is by far one of his strong points is the dialogue and those hilarious one-liners - deadpan style, of course! The back and forth between the different characters, whether main or supporting ones, is really something. Shalvey's pencils are crisp and full of detail, while Bellaire's colour work remains excellent throughout. This is one art team I want to see more of.
The Injection (the rogue artificial learning system) is evolving and it will be interesting to see how The Five of the CCCU (Cultural Cross-Contamination Unit) will deal with it.
Injection is a well-written, beautifully-illustrated - and yes, okay, unconventional - series that was intriguing after its first volume, and shows a lot of promise after this strong second volume. Well done, guys. I'm in.
The Injection (the rogue artificial learning system) is evolving and it will be interesting to see how The Five of the CCCU (Cultural Cross-Contamination Unit) will deal with it.
Injection is a well-written, beautifully-illustrated - and yes, okay, unconventional - series that was intriguing after its first volume, and shows a lot of promise after this strong second volume. Well done, guys. I'm in.
September 10, 2016
I vaguely recall reading that Injection was designed as a set of graphic novels rather than an ongoing series, and that's very obvious in this second collection.
Whereas volume 1 introduced us to all 5 of the characters involved in the creation of the Injection, this one focuses right in on Vivek Headland as he attempts to solve a murder case involving a ghost, human ham, terrorists, and of course, the sentient Injection. The other characters bubble around the peripheries, with Simeon and Brigid getting involved, whilst Maria and Robin are more on the outskirts with their own stories to deal with.
The genre of Injection is hard to pin down, with the Injection itself taking inspiration from its diverse creators in its antics. So where before it has used supernatural means to try and learn about humans, this volume sees it take on more human characteristics, and even influencing humans more directly than before. It's a clever detective story, punctuated with Ellis' trademark sarcasm and biting wit; everything Headland says is hilarious and dangerously accurate.
Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire are as much a part of the storytelling as Ellis however; Shalvey's style bends to whatever Ellis throws at him, and Bellaire's colour choices are always inspired - it's clear to see why she's winning Eisners.
Injection is not your typical Warren Ellis comic. That said, I don't think there's such a thing as a typical Warren Ellis comic, come to think of it. But if you liked his previous work, you'll definitely, definitely love this, and if you liked volume 1, then this is exactly what you'll want next. I can't wait to see where we go next.
Whereas volume 1 introduced us to all 5 of the characters involved in the creation of the Injection, this one focuses right in on Vivek Headland as he attempts to solve a murder case involving a ghost, human ham, terrorists, and of course, the sentient Injection. The other characters bubble around the peripheries, with Simeon and Brigid getting involved, whilst Maria and Robin are more on the outskirts with their own stories to deal with.
The genre of Injection is hard to pin down, with the Injection itself taking inspiration from its diverse creators in its antics. So where before it has used supernatural means to try and learn about humans, this volume sees it take on more human characteristics, and even influencing humans more directly than before. It's a clever detective story, punctuated with Ellis' trademark sarcasm and biting wit; everything Headland says is hilarious and dangerously accurate.
Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire are as much a part of the storytelling as Ellis however; Shalvey's style bends to whatever Ellis throws at him, and Bellaire's colour choices are always inspired - it's clear to see why she's winning Eisners.
Injection is not your typical Warren Ellis comic. That said, I don't think there's such a thing as a typical Warren Ellis comic, come to think of it. But if you liked his previous work, you'll definitely, definitely love this, and if you liked volume 1, then this is exactly what you'll want next. I can't wait to see where we go next.
May 6, 2017
Well that was a drag. It's almost like a different series with its change of focus.
What Ellis did with volume 1 is basically gone with volume 2. Vivek Headland has become the main character, and really, apart from being a hyperbolically bohemian, seemingly eccentric, genuinely pretentious investigator, he's a pretty flat and boring character. His monologues are dry and long-winded. And I just found myself wanting to see the other characters instead, because he's very much that "snide weird genius" character.
This volume almost entirely lacks action or adventure. There are a few very brief firefights, deaths, and oddities, but it's mostly Vivek monologuing and dissecting the mystery of the Injection. And honestly, the mystery isn't that interesting. And it should be, because it involves murder, ghost sex, and non-biological intelligence. But Ellis drags us down with his dry industry-speak and it just bored me to death.
I'm willing to try the next volume when it comes out, but damn, Ellis better re-focus. Because it's a shame to waste this beautiful artwork and a potentially amazing story.
November 20, 2016
Throughout the course of volume one, the ongoing question is, “what is the Injection?” By the end of the book, we get an answer, but we were still left baffled as Warren Ellis doesn’t entirely connect the dots. In volume two, Ellis drifts away from the deep science of the Injection and more on the crime caper antics of its creators. Primarily focusing on consulting detective Vivek Headland and his faithful ex-murderer manservant Red as they both plunged into the events of ghosts, human ham and alchemical conspiracies, whilst the other creators are trying to neutralise the ever-growing terror.
Why I found this volume more accessible than the previous one is largely that Ellis is more interested in the messed-up characterisations of the five geniuses, particularly Vivek Headland who is a latter-day Sherlock Holmes as he is rich and pompous, whilst his relationship with Red is very funny as Red is at times frustrated with his position as manservant. There is a brilliant sequence in issue eight where Viv talks about human interaction, leading as a series of panels in which he’s performing several sex acts with various people and suddenly it transitions to a post-sex conversation with him and his three co-creators.
As before, Declan Shalvey shines with his artwork with a stunning realisation of New York with its sense of style and grit. To show that Viv is a master detective in the vein of Holmes, Shalvey provides small squared panels featuring Viv’s keen eye on objects and clues; his work is so impressive, it makes me excited to see what he does with DC’s own World’s Greatest Detective. Once again in the collaboration with colourist Jordie Bellaire, because the story jumps from one timeframe to another, the art does a great job at visually telling the reader when is when through subtle colouring.
Although I found the previous volume disappointing, I found this to more accessible with Ellis’s demented wittiness towards his characters, even if the story is still overwrought with ideas including “vaginal ectoplasm”. It ends on a weird note in terms of the Injection becoming more and more of a presence in our world, and yet there hasn’t been any confirmation of whether the creative team will continue the story or not.
Why I found this volume more accessible than the previous one is largely that Ellis is more interested in the messed-up characterisations of the five geniuses, particularly Vivek Headland who is a latter-day Sherlock Holmes as he is rich and pompous, whilst his relationship with Red is very funny as Red is at times frustrated with his position as manservant. There is a brilliant sequence in issue eight where Viv talks about human interaction, leading as a series of panels in which he’s performing several sex acts with various people and suddenly it transitions to a post-sex conversation with him and his three co-creators.
As before, Declan Shalvey shines with his artwork with a stunning realisation of New York with its sense of style and grit. To show that Viv is a master detective in the vein of Holmes, Shalvey provides small squared panels featuring Viv’s keen eye on objects and clues; his work is so impressive, it makes me excited to see what he does with DC’s own World’s Greatest Detective. Once again in the collaboration with colourist Jordie Bellaire, because the story jumps from one timeframe to another, the art does a great job at visually telling the reader when is when through subtle colouring.
Although I found the previous volume disappointing, I found this to more accessible with Ellis’s demented wittiness towards his characters, even if the story is still overwrought with ideas including “vaginal ectoplasm”. It ends on a weird note in terms of the Injection becoming more and more of a presence in our world, and yet there hasn’t been any confirmation of whether the creative team will continue the story or not.
April 1, 2023
Well once I had read the first - it seems rude not to read the other two - and so following hotly on the heels of the previous read I picked up volume 2 and devoured it almost as quickly - the characters for me are just so extreme they are fascinating without making them monsters. And speaking of which - the melding of folklore and hidden realms with technology and science has been approached many times but this one just seems to strike the right chord with me
I am so far behind with my reviews its almost embarrassing so please be bare with me.
So on to volume 2 of inject which is almost impossible to explain without giving away the storyline which to be honest is part of the appeal of this book.
Let us say that an experiment happened some years ago and something unexpected and unspeakable happened - wow that sounds so cliched but at the same time the beauty of it is there is nothing here which you can predict.
So what can I tell you - there are 3 volumes so far released although I can see a considerable number more coming - that is if MR Ellis can find time in his busy schedule being so prolific in the comic book world.
But so far (and this has been confirmed elsewhere) each book takes in a style of a famous British character - so here we have a homage to Sherlock Holmes but trust me like the vague introduction to the series it is massively off on the assumptions
So what can I say about this story in fact the series - when you break it down its very easy to dismiss it as a twist on an old tale.
But you would be wrong - rather its a case of taking that tale and telling it in a new and modern style - yes it may date it in years to come but I think for now it is new and thrilling and I for one want to see where it goes.
I am so far behind with my reviews its almost embarrassing so please be bare with me.
So on to volume 2 of inject which is almost impossible to explain without giving away the storyline which to be honest is part of the appeal of this book.
Let us say that an experiment happened some years ago and something unexpected and unspeakable happened - wow that sounds so cliched but at the same time the beauty of it is there is nothing here which you can predict.
So what can I tell you - there are 3 volumes so far released although I can see a considerable number more coming - that is if MR Ellis can find time in his busy schedule being so prolific in the comic book world.
But so far (and this has been confirmed elsewhere) each book takes in a style of a famous British character - so here we have a homage to Sherlock Holmes but trust me like the vague introduction to the series it is massively off on the assumptions
So what can I say about this story in fact the series - when you break it down its very easy to dismiss it as a twist on an old tale.
But you would be wrong - rather its a case of taking that tale and telling it in a new and modern style - yes it may date it in years to come but I think for now it is new and thrilling and I for one want to see where it goes.
December 1, 2016
Bullet Review:
Okay, this one was much better than Volume 1 - so rare a thing to say! Vivek is way more interesting this go around, and while the whole "Injection into the computer" thing is still puzzling, at least there was something of a plot to follow. I would not be opposed to catching Volume 3 when it comes out.
Okay, this one was much better than Volume 1 - so rare a thing to say! Vivek is way more interesting this go around, and while the whole "Injection into the computer" thing is still puzzling, at least there was something of a plot to follow. I would not be opposed to catching Volume 3 when it comes out.
April 26, 2017
Fascinating
July 8, 2018
Also available on the WondrousBooks blog.
I was pretty excited to read the second volume of Injection, but I must admit it was a disappointment.
Everything that I found interesting and worthwhile in the first volume was gone here. The new main character, Vivek Headland, was rather boring and overrated and the rest of the characters had basically no space to develop.
The story itself started out from something interesting, the Injection, and morphed into a dull saga of Headland's peculiarities and strange sexual tastes. Add to that several long and boring monologues and a few random shooting sprees, and you are as far away from what was originally interesting in this story, as you can be.
The art was not as impressive either, mainly because it changed focus from interesting manifestations of the Injection to sex scenes and thugs.
I see how to some the mix of a world-changing virus, ghosts and cannibalism might be interesting, but for me it was over the top while actually not giving anything of value to the reader.
I might have completely lost interest in the series, unfortunately.
I was pretty excited to read the second volume of Injection, but I must admit it was a disappointment.
Everything that I found interesting and worthwhile in the first volume was gone here. The new main character, Vivek Headland, was rather boring and overrated and the rest of the characters had basically no space to develop.
The story itself started out from something interesting, the Injection, and morphed into a dull saga of Headland's peculiarities and strange sexual tastes. Add to that several long and boring monologues and a few random shooting sprees, and you are as far away from what was originally interesting in this story, as you can be.
The art was not as impressive either, mainly because it changed focus from interesting manifestations of the Injection to sex scenes and thugs.
I see how to some the mix of a world-changing virus, ghosts and cannibalism might be interesting, but for me it was over the top while actually not giving anything of value to the reader.
I might have completely lost interest in the series, unfortunately.
January 19, 2017
I think the biggest reason I liked this more than the first TPB, which I'm tempted to go back and re-read because of some things I think I missed, is that this edition feels more like a whole, connected story. There are bits that harken back to the first TPB, but they do not detract from the this story.
Viv is drilling down as to how one incident that is brought to his attention multiplies into multiple crimes. The initial incident is a man who tells Viv that the ghost of his ex-wife is visiting him and having sex with him (the purported finding of ectoplasmic bodily was amusing to me).
Actually this is one of Ellis' more sex filled tales in some ways, and he doesn't hit you over the head with it, IMO, becuase it is sued as part of the story and character development , as is the violence.
Part of the reason I moved this up the TBR piles was that I just finished Normal and in some ways these two stories (the Injection series and the novel) both shared the concept of futurists dealing with the effects of being a futurist (essentially that they are effed up people because of their work).
Viv is drilling down as to how one incident that is brought to his attention multiplies into multiple crimes. The initial incident is a man who tells Viv that the ghost of his ex-wife is visiting him and having sex with him (the purported finding of ectoplasmic bodily was amusing to me).
Actually this is one of Ellis' more sex filled tales in some ways, and he doesn't hit you over the head with it, IMO, becuase it is sued as part of the story and character development , as is the violence.
Part of the reason I moved this up the TBR piles was that I just finished Normal and in some ways these two stories (the Injection series and the novel) both shared the concept of futurists dealing with the effects of being a futurist (essentially that they are effed up people because of their work).
February 24, 2019
Injection is back, and the second volume is as great as the first! This time it's essentially a detective story, through which we learn a bit more about the main characters and about the Injection itself. The mystery is good and the story is disturbing in a very Ellis way. Many things are still left unexplained, but Ellis is definitely playing a long game with this one, so I'm sure we'll get all the answers at some point. And, of course, the art team of Shalvey and Bellaire is brilliant as always.
If you loved the first volume, you won't be disappointed by the second one! And check out Injection if you haven't yet. It's very good.
If you loved the first volume, you won't be disappointed by the second one! And check out Injection if you haven't yet. It's very good.
May 7, 2017
I was afraid that I wouldn't continue to enjoy this series after the first trade paperback, in which the nature of the "injection" was revealed. Oftentimes as is the case in thrillers and horror stories, the suspense and mystery are more appealing than the post-reveal story. However, although the nature of this series has changed slightly, moving into a bit of a police procedural bent (and it seems like subsequent story arc will focus mainly on the perspective of one of the characters of the original team), it still has strong air of supernatural/sci-fi/conspiracy thriller about it. I also enjoy the snarky sense of humor and character interactions.
April 17, 2019
Vivek is disconcertedly like Sherlock Holmes, but unlike the famous sleuth, is hated by everybody. He is asked by John Van der Zee to recover the ghost of his mistress. Vivek's organization is compromised when he finds his sandwich is made with human flesh. It's the flesh of Van der Zee's son whom his father thinks died in a car crash. The Injection is behind it all and it's getting smarter.
November 13, 2018
Follows a different lead character in Vivek Headland. Kinda a wacky Private detective. The injection gets explained a little more but I just really didnt think it provided much more. I dont think I'll continue this series as I feel like its not building as quickly as I would have liked.
August 23, 2016
The Case of the Elderly Ghost Sexer
It’s all going to be about sandwiches, in the end, I just know it.
Volume 2 starts with the discovery of artisanal human ham in a sandwich. A clue that leads to alchemical criminal organizations, vaginal ectoplasm, and the learning curve of a non-human artificial intelligence that was injected into the Internet in order to stop the future from being boring.
Which is to say, Warren Ellis has done it again. He’s put words together in combinations that make me wish for a precisely targeted neurological event that would leave me unable to ever write again. He’s so very fucking good at what he does.
In the first volume of Injection five people get together under the aegis of a shadowy corporate think tank to run scenarios about the future and to figure out what might be coming down the pike. Marie (anthropologist), Simeon (spy), Vivek (detective), Brigid (hacker), and Robin (cunning man {wizard}). They discover, through all the scenarios that they run, that future will be a flat line - no more massive rate of change, no advancement. They decide that is unacceptable. They decide to do something about it. Each of them throws something into the pot. And the Injection is born.
The first volume introduced the characters, showed how the Injection came to be and what it’s capable of, Wayland the Smith is summoned, and someone is skinned alive. The stakes are laid out, in other words.
This volume focuses primarily on Vivek. Warren Ellis has said that this a Sherlock Holmes story and Vivek is taken directly from that mold. Vivek is very wealthy and even smarter and lives high above New York City. John Van Der Zee, a serious financial guy, comes to Vivek with a problem. Someone has stolen a photograph of his dead mistress. And without that photograph, her ghost, the ghost of the dead mistress, no longer appears and has sex with Ven Der Zee. He really wants the photo back. When a piece of Van Der Zee’s son is found in Vivek’s sandwich, Vivek decides to take the case. After all, someone has just fucked with his sandwich!
It’s a fast paced story, flashbacks of Vivek’s education (mental, physical,... sexual) intertwine with the progress in the case (homicidal clerk at the Brooklyn artisinal deli, interrogations, the final reveal in the study - a classic ending).
In past works, Ellis has stuck to a very formal page structure: only a four panel grid in one book, only a nine panel grid in another. In Injection, he plays it a lot looser, a mix of square panels and horizontal panels. His craft is so polished that each page rewards careful study as to why each specific layout was chosen and what each does for the story beats. How he makes each page both an encapsulated unit. How he gets you to turn the page.
The book ends with the lead in for the next volume. Robin has been pressured by everyone around him, including the ghosts of his mother and his sister, to get a government job. The hereditary job of the his family. Ghost Breaker for Her Majesty’s Government. He bows to the pressure. Reports to The Breaker’s Yard. He now has power. This isn’t going to end well.
I can’t wait for the next volume. Which Ellis has said is a Doctor Who story. Starring Brigid. So we’ll get the black Doctor we’ve always wanted.
Highest recommendation.
It’s all going to be about sandwiches, in the end, I just know it.
Volume 2 starts with the discovery of artisanal human ham in a sandwich. A clue that leads to alchemical criminal organizations, vaginal ectoplasm, and the learning curve of a non-human artificial intelligence that was injected into the Internet in order to stop the future from being boring.
Which is to say, Warren Ellis has done it again. He’s put words together in combinations that make me wish for a precisely targeted neurological event that would leave me unable to ever write again. He’s so very fucking good at what he does.
In the first volume of Injection five people get together under the aegis of a shadowy corporate think tank to run scenarios about the future and to figure out what might be coming down the pike. Marie (anthropologist), Simeon (spy), Vivek (detective), Brigid (hacker), and Robin (cunning man {wizard}). They discover, through all the scenarios that they run, that future will be a flat line - no more massive rate of change, no advancement. They decide that is unacceptable. They decide to do something about it. Each of them throws something into the pot. And the Injection is born.
The first volume introduced the characters, showed how the Injection came to be and what it’s capable of, Wayland the Smith is summoned, and someone is skinned alive. The stakes are laid out, in other words.
This volume focuses primarily on Vivek. Warren Ellis has said that this a Sherlock Holmes story and Vivek is taken directly from that mold. Vivek is very wealthy and even smarter and lives high above New York City. John Van Der Zee, a serious financial guy, comes to Vivek with a problem. Someone has stolen a photograph of his dead mistress. And without that photograph, her ghost, the ghost of the dead mistress, no longer appears and has sex with Ven Der Zee. He really wants the photo back. When a piece of Van Der Zee’s son is found in Vivek’s sandwich, Vivek decides to take the case. After all, someone has just fucked with his sandwich!
It’s a fast paced story, flashbacks of Vivek’s education (mental, physical,... sexual) intertwine with the progress in the case (homicidal clerk at the Brooklyn artisinal deli, interrogations, the final reveal in the study - a classic ending).
In past works, Ellis has stuck to a very formal page structure: only a four panel grid in one book, only a nine panel grid in another. In Injection, he plays it a lot looser, a mix of square panels and horizontal panels. His craft is so polished that each page rewards careful study as to why each specific layout was chosen and what each does for the story beats. How he makes each page both an encapsulated unit. How he gets you to turn the page.
The book ends with the lead in for the next volume. Robin has been pressured by everyone around him, including the ghosts of his mother and his sister, to get a government job. The hereditary job of the his family. Ghost Breaker for Her Majesty’s Government. He bows to the pressure. Reports to The Breaker’s Yard. He now has power. This isn’t going to end well.
I can’t wait for the next volume. Which Ellis has said is a Doctor Who story. Starring Brigid. So we’ll get the black Doctor we’ve always wanted.
Highest recommendation.
August 11, 2016
Warren Ellis turns away from fairies and turns the mystical section of the comic into a detective story that begins with a rich man who lost his wife and son but wants the ghost of the photo of his wife back so he can sleep with her. Yes, the weirdness does not end there: "Injection, Vol. 2" has a lot on its mind and many places it can go from here, but for now we follow Viv (who enjoys eating well seasoned human meat and bares some similarities with Hannibal Lector but instead of a psychology-minded madman we have a philosopher - in fact, Derrida makes an appearance) as he brings the old crew back together and works with the feds to fend off an occult group after "the philosopher's stone" and who are trying to pervert the injection that has taken control of all matters of life. Themes you'd find in a William Gibson book pop up in either comedic, bloody, or tragic ways - the injection itself is not unlike the idea of the singularity and like the singularity it is feared it could be the end of man - and already in the process of changing humankind - and ushering forth a new aeon of computers and robots. Inside you will also find: the most gorgeous artwork I have seen in any comic book released this year, loads of philosophical discussions, reworking of various detective fiction tropes, a cameo from John Oliver, and, naturally, the occult. "Injection" is building up to something grand, all the pieces are in place, so bring on volume 3.
August 20, 2016
I loved this. Ellis is firmly back writing in the vein of Global Frequency and Planetary here, as he follows the exploits of an unusual group of investigators who are trying to track down a rogue AI that was "injected" into the Internet and is beginning to cause all sorts of havoc, its actions often indistinguishable from supernatural occurrences. This volume focuses on Viv Headland, a Sherlock Holmes-type, as he investigates a weird mystery involving a financier, his dead son and mistress, ghost sex, a chunk of human bicep cured like a ham, and an underground alchemical cult trying to lay claim to the Philosopher's Stone. It's all quite strange and I'm not sure I fully understood it all, but it's a much better story than the disjointed first volume of this series. Couple that with the excellent artwork by Declan Shalvey and coloring by Jordie Bellaire, and you've got a series that seems to finally be hitting its stride. Very satisfying. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next collection.
July 1, 2016
Continuing to love this book and how it takes tropes and stereotypes and spins them on their heads.
April 7, 2017
"An evolving AI, infused with other worldly elements has gone berserk and is currently under the process of learning human behavior. Cross Contamination Control Unit(CCCU), the high IQ creators of Injection are in a guilt driven frenzy effort to locate and contain the AI. Meanwhile some covert resurgent group called ‘Rubedo’ is determined to have the AI all for themselves by hook or crook."
Now read this synopsis again by replacing the AI- Injection with ‘Samaritan’ and CCCU with ‘Team Machine’. To add to the uncanny resemblances with Person Of Interest, CCCU constituents include a Hannibal-Sherlock-ish detective, Vivek Headland(more or less Finch) and his personal Watson, Red(ginger Reese), assisted by a badasss Techie(Root) and a gay Assassin(Shaw). Well, the most fun part was, having all of this featured in an investigation plot involving a perverted ghost and human ham, the sort Dirk Gently treads on.
Nevertheless this volume was the most fun I had with a comic book in recent years(well, maybe months). And there were bonus perks like this.(Jessica Jones and Luke Cage talking about Doctor Who, James Bond and Everything)
Now read this synopsis again by replacing the AI- Injection with ‘Samaritan’ and CCCU with ‘Team Machine’. To add to the uncanny resemblances with Person Of Interest, CCCU constituents include a Hannibal-Sherlock-ish detective, Vivek Headland(more or less Finch) and his personal Watson, Red(ginger Reese), assisted by a badasss Techie(Root) and a gay Assassin(Shaw). Well, the most fun part was, having all of this featured in an investigation plot involving a perverted ghost and human ham, the sort Dirk Gently treads on.
Nevertheless this volume was the most fun I had with a comic book in recent years(well, maybe months). And there were bonus perks like this.(Jessica Jones and Luke Cage talking about Doctor Who, James Bond and Everything)
April 27, 2017
Ellis is clearly having tremendous fun writing Vivek Headland, his riff on the omnicompetent detective trope. And that fun actually transmits to the reader, making the central story into as delightful a romp as a story about cannibalism and ghost sex can be, with the dire implications for the wider plot only becoming apparent nearer the end. Headland's interactions with his employees and allies are the main attraction here, with strong storytelling from Shalvey making sure the book stays light-footed.
February 21, 2019
With slightly more clarification than the first volume entailed, Injection gets right into the thick of it following Vivek mainly this time as he uncovers another plot hatched by the Injection.
I really liked this, and wished there was more content within the pages, but the pacing is quick and intelligent, and not at all satisfying. I now need to get my hands on Vol. 3 to see how it all turns out*.
*EDIT: After writing the review, I did some research to see that Vol. 3 isn't the last, but that the series is on hiatus until the artist has more time in his schedule. Ellis has 2 more arcs planned.
I really liked this, and wished there was more content within the pages, but the pacing is quick and intelligent, and not at all satisfying. I now need to get my hands on Vol. 3 to see how it all turns out*.
*EDIT: After writing the review, I did some research to see that Vol. 3 isn't the last, but that the series is on hiatus until the artist has more time in his schedule. Ellis has 2 more arcs planned.
January 9, 2018
The team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire continue to knock it out of the park with this second volume of the series. This one is mostly focused on the logico of the team and has a distinct Sherlock Holmes-esq feel to it, but all the players are required and get involved at the appropriate time. The malevolent force they've created, however, continues to grow in strength and that leads us in to volume three.
September 14, 2023
Vol. 2 hat tatsächlich mehr Fahrt aufgenommen, auch wenn der Erzählton etwas anders war. Viv ist definitiv ein interessanter Charakter!
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