REVIEW: ‘Origins,’ Issue #4

Origins #4 is published by BOOM! Studios, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, with art by Jakub Rebelka, colors by Patricio Delpeche, and letters by Jim Campbell. With the machine city burning David and Chloe must escape the brutal attacks from the Network. But for the first time, they are not alone.

Free will. I would have to guess no topic has been the subject of more philosophical papers in humanity’s history, save for the assistance of the divine itself. What is free will? Do any of us truly poses it, or are we simply a series of alchemical impulses born of our inherent instincts and hard-earned life lessons? Does it count as having a choice if there is only one option that isn’t likely to result in our untimely demise? Society tells us we are free to do whatever we want, but if we don’t do what we are supposed to, we will be cut off, and likely doomed. Is this free will? Is this a choice?

As David and Chloe flee the burning city the machines built their situation appears to be all but hopeless. As the world crumbles around them they are delivered from the inferno by the many machines that previously inhabited the city. With their programming urging them to serve humanity, and David being the last human alive, they throw themselves into the fray to preserve him. David however, is appalled at the destruction wrought because of him.

As the now sizable group continues to trek across the land Origins #4 takes a moment to slow down its narrative and ask some questions concerning free will and choice.

David urges the machines to go somewhere that the Network won’t bother them. He understands that it is their programming that is urging them to follow him, despite the obvious danger it puts them in. The machines have their take on the reason why they follow him. How they see their interaction with the Network, and whether continuing that life would truly be freedom. It is an interesting discussion. And as with all discourses concerning such matters, one that cannot be quantifiably proven in one side or the other.

Once this quiet reprieve ends Origins #4 sees the group once more under attack by the Network. But this time, something changes. Perhaps a glimmer of free will does exist. As the path that the group walks changes it also yields surprising results.

As the last hope of humanity struggles to keep its light alive, the art continues to depict the plight of its journey with all the same skill it has in the previous issues. While the hard, and in one moment truly brutal, struggle is captured with wonderful skill by Rebelka’s line work, it is the emotion reinforcing colors of Delpeche that rule these panels. As blazing reds of the fire lit city change to cool blues and greens as the group wanders, only to return to its beginning energy in the tale’s final confrontation, the colors feel like a guide to the book’s emotional journey.

Rounding out the story’s presentation once more is Campbell”s proficient letter work. The narrative’s many moments are delivered smoothly and skillfully. This allows the reader to simply enjoy the emotional story before them.

When all is said and done Origins #4 delivers another strong entry to the series. With the ending of this issue, it feels like the endgame is about to begin. And we may soon learn what great plan David had concocted in his past life.

Origins #4 is available on February 10th wherever comics are sold.