By Larry Jorash — “Able and Laika and Baker. No matter what.”

Andrea Sorrentino and Jeff Lemire have become a well known creative duo in recent years, having pulled off some impressive storytelling feats in their Green Arrow run, as well as Old Man Logan and the terrifying horror series, Gideon Falls. Primordial is their latest achievement together; a science-fiction thrill ride set within the backdrop of the Cold War. Laika (the Soviet canine), Able and Mrs. Baker (Peruvian monkeys used by the United States) were the names of three real world, early animals that humanity sent into space.

Our story — which concludes this week with Primordial #6 — reimagines the fate of those lost animals and casts a blanket of espionage into the fray. A bizarre world takes shape where what happened on those fateful voyages ended the space race for all countries in the early 1960s. What we’re left with out of all of this is one of my favorite comic books in many years.

One thing that struck me immediately about this title was the heartfelt loneliness of the protagonists. Jeff Lemire once again taps themes of isolation in his characters. Laika, for instance, consistently mentions her fear and history of loneliness on earth. Able, while not necessarily wanting to return to the cruelty of humanity, also very clearly makes it known that he longs to stay together with Mrs. Baker, and eventually also his new puppy friend.

“Able and Laika and Mrs Baker. No matter what.”

The bonds of friendship and the raw fear of facing danger and cruelty alone are so hard to ignore in what has been an emotional journey from the start; and this I think also taps into a real fear many of us have in our own lives. Even when we know danger is coming, we are much stronger and more capable together, alongside those we cherish.

Another hard to miss quality of Primordial from the start has been the artwork. Sorrentino and colorist Dave Stewart work flawlessly to showcase outer space and all its cosmic wonders. We are swallowed by colors and intricately drawn full page spreads of the stars.

In this final issue particularly you can tell Sorrentino was almost showing off with line work as the climactic intersection of the plots takes shape. Stewart excels, surprisingly, in the darker colder pages of the Cold War in this comic. Primordial switches timelines often, and when our story canvases the eastern block of the Soviet Union, you can really feel the happiness and joy slip off the page with dark overtones and many shades of gray surrounding what little other color (mostly red) decides to show. While this may sound like just your basic white out effect, in contrast it’s actually quite beautiful in it’s own right, and it reminded me of growing up in the various whites and greys of New England. It’s all spot on color work, and it gets a major nod from me. 

In the end, Primordial is a heartfelt journey of three best friends on their way home, surrounded by mystery and danger. It demands multiple readings, asking that you stay a while, lingering on the mesmerizing art. Fans of writers such as John le Carré and Ian Fleming will cross over here with fans of Star Wars and Doctor Dolittle. Animals, spies, and extraterrestrial crafts…oh my.

Overall: Primoridal #6 is a stunning finale for a series that has been great from its start, dealing with isolation, strength together, and cruelty, all amid the backdrop of the space race and Cold War. 9.2/10

REVIEW: Primordial #6

Primordial #6
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: Image Comics
The mind-bending conclusion to the exhilarating new series by JEFF LEMIRE and ANDREA SORRENTINO! Our animal astronauts make a final attempt to return to Earth as their allies on the ground fight desperately to guide them home.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Primordial #6

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Larry Jorash (He/Him) resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find his hand vacant of coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)