Title: Think Tank #1
Writer: Matt Hawkins
Art: Rahsan Ekedal
Publisher: Top Cow / Image
Think Tank is one of those books that catches your eye on the shelf, and then punches you in the face with science once you start reading it. It’s quite brilliant.
The gist of the story is this: a DARPA employed genius, David Loren, finds himself in a sticky situation when his employers demand that he, well, actually get off his ass and do some work. You see, David may be a genius but he does what he wants, how and when he sees fit. Sometimes that’s hanging out playing vidjagames, sometimes it’s enjoying a nice long nap, and sometimes it’s probably spending a day on Reddit… purple-linking the entire site. I wouldn’t be surprised.
In Think Tank #1, we see David begin work on a device designed to translate the electricity running through our brain (the transmission of thought) into text on a screen. Evidently this is actual technology that isn’t too far away from the technological advances in our world today, giving this fictional tale a shot of distressing reality right into its veins. Of course, things go exactly as planned with this new mind reading device, which is a bad thing for a weapons developer with a conscious. Yes he’s successful and sporting pockets lined with coin, but at what eventual cost to society? It’s an interesting conundrum that showcases the character well.
Speaking of the character, David Loren is quite enjoyable to read. He looks just like Kurt Cobain and he appears almost as carefree and rambunctious. Basically if Kobain had a PHD and developed weapons, he would be this character. David is based somewhat on Think Tank co-creator Matt Hawkins (connect with him on Twitter). I believe that is mentioned at the end of the book, which happens to be filled with a number of pages of bonus content, something just so damn important for $3.99 books.
The bonus content divulges info on characters, research, and informaion on scientific organizations / projects that exist today. Much of the book was based on true-to-life technology, lots that can be Googled for more information, and all of it is just as scary as it would appear. Weapons developers… Who needs em? Let’s just all study English and have word fights instead of actual fights. Bam – like a million problems solved in one fell swoop. Stupid humans and their wars… anyways… check out this terrifying robot and tell me you don’t want to read a comic book about similar subject matter:
Think Tank is a book by science nerds, FOR science nerds. And, just about anyone else who likes a solid character driven story. SCIENCE!!!
