High Level #1 by Rob Sheridan - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: Hundreds of years after the world ended and human society was rebuilt from scratch, a self-interested smuggler is forced to traverse a new continent of danger and mystery to deliver a child messiah to High Level, a mythical city at the top of the world from which no one has ever returned. Don’t miss the start of a new series from writer Rob Sheridan, co-creator of Nine Inch Nails’ groundbreaking Year Zero alternate-reality game!

High Level #1 by Rob Sheridan has an interesting premise: A post-apocalyptic society where the regular people struggle to by, while the rich/elite live in a place where the residents strive to "ascend" to High Level, a mythical place from which no one has returned. Throw in to the mix Thirteen, a teenage smuggler who is only interested in helping herself; an old flame, who is a part of the military protecting the elite; and a young girl who is destined to save the world. I was intrigued enough to give it a shot.

My impressions of High Level, in no particular order: I thought there were echoes of many well-known sci-fi stories. The chosen one. The reluctant young hero(ine). A Logan's Run-type feeling mixed with a Mad Max-ian setting. A former boyfriend who works for the other side now. Swearing for the sake of swearing. A strange cult of humans who were trying to become cyborgs (or had already begun the process). A fabled city.

I felt like Sheridan recycled so many familiar tropes that nothing really stood out. I didn't really find Thirteen an engaging character, nor was the setting a stand out for me. I am curious about just what High Level is, and if it is real and not merely a trick to keep people in line. However, I'm not interested enough to continue reading month to month.

Overall, I was unimpressed with High Level #1 by Rob Sheridan. It just seemed like something that has already been done. I may pick up the story when it is collected, but won't be eagerly awaiting the next chapter. If the summary sounds like your kind of book, pick it up and make your own judgement, but it's not really my thing.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics and Vertigo in exchange for an honest review.