Approach, The #3

By Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley and Jesús Hervás

The monster could strike at any time and any place, and it’s up to Mac and Abi to figure out how to stop it, while the surviving passengers do what they can to find refuge from the horror!
With Jake as their eye in the sky, can Abi and Mac discover the looming monstrosity before it kills again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BOOM Studios
• Release date: Jan 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781936393626

Book preview

Reviews for Approach, The #3

[unsquare_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Net Galley.

In Strange Attractors, Heller Wilson is a grad student studying complexity theory, a branch of mathematics devoted to the study of complex systems. He’s a career-minded guy, and is currently working on a thesis topic suggested by his advisor and designed specifically to get him hired at a high-paying job after graduation. Problem is, he’s struggling with the topic – comparing the resiliency of New York City after 9/11 to the struggles of New Orleans after Katrina – so he decides to track down a former Columbia professor who wrote about similar subject decades ago.

Wilson soon discovers that the professor, Spencer Brownfield, is a bit of an eccentric. Among other things, Brownfield explains that he eats exactly 1700 calories a day – no more, no less – and closes their meeting by releasing a rat into a crowded restaurant. However, Wilson is desperate for help with his thesis, so he persists and manages to talk Brownfield into giving him access to his research in exchange for helping with a few “projects”.

When Wilson shows up to help with those projects, Brownfield sends him off on a number of apparently random tasks without any explanation. Wilson cooperates gamely for a while, but when he eventually gets fed up and decides to quit, Brownfield surprises him by demonstrating what those seemingly random tasks can achieve when done in concert. It turns out that Brownfield is (he claims) using his theories to “adjust” events in New York City in subtle ways, continually working against the ever-increasing flow of chaos and darkness in the city. Brownfield explains that the reason New York City is so resilient is because he is working to keep it that way. Wilson is drawn back in, and soon becomes obsessed with Brownfield’s theories.

Strange Attractors is one of those stories that exists just on the edge of science fiction. Although the idea of using mathematical theories to control events in a city seems fanciful at first blush, upon consideration it feels like the sort of thing that might not be outside the realm of possibility. History caught up with William Gibson, after all. Accordingly, the book is simultaneously both grounded and magical, and the resulting mix is extremely appealing.

In some ways the premise reminded me a bit of the basic concepts of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, but here the idea of controlling future outcomes is real-time, personal and entirely specific to the city of New York. Brownfield considers himself NYC’s caretaker, and Wilson eventually admits to himself that he also feels a strong enough connection to the city that he wants to protect it. The author and artist clearly share that love of the city, and their devotion is part of what makes this story feel unique.

I also loved the art, which is gorgeously drawn and full of color. Whenever Brownfield or Wilson visualize possible outcomes, they are shown as a series of interlocking colored lines bouncing between people or objects. This conceit helps make Brownfield’s theories feel concrete, like something hidden in plain sight if you only know how to look. Also, color is used to signify the current state of the city – red for chaos, blue for stability – and the growing presence of redness helps to build tension throughout as Brownfield and Wilson work to save New York from impending cataclysm.

Strange Attractors is a standalone novel, but is also available in individual chapters online from Comixology. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and will definitely be checking out other work by the same author. Recommended.

[villemezbrown · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Saving New York City with the power of math is a winning concept. And though the actual math is glossed over to the point that it practically becomes magic, that's okay, because the story is really about the magic of people looking out for each other and trying their best to make the world a little bit better every day. I disengaged my critical eye and let myself get swept up in the story.

[toast.x2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Would you risk your entire career for the chance to save a city? If the only proof you have that your efforts will have impact is the rantings of an old man, seemingly coherent, and 35 years out of work?

In ‘Strange Attractors’, this is the situation faced by undergraduate Heller Wilson when he bases his thesis on 35 year old theories by Dr Spencer Brown. Reclusive Brown is a self proclaimed custodian of New York City, making minor and major adjustments to keep the big apple from decaying and imploding. Brown tutors and molds Wilson in his forte “Complexity Math” and it’s use in mapping the health of the city as it teeters on the edge of destruction.

Clocking in at 144 pages, the plot was enjoyable and adequate. Though it felt a little rushed at points, the graphic novel was ultimately satisfying. Taking math from Pi, juvenile pranks from Fight Club, and the obvious Butterfly Effect references, Strange Attractors kept me motivated to finish reading, though it took a few pages to initially grab me. The authors could have opted to leave the bow off the wrapped up package plot, it may have helped add weight by allowing this to hint at a continued story line, instead, tied with a nice bow.

Artwork was not a problem here, with vivid colors reserved for certain scenes and muted tones prevailing. Hard crisp lines appearing throughout many pages were stunning, and those that were not were industry par with solid details and clean presentation to compensate.

Review based on an ARC

[nataliesw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This graphic novel sets forth a really interesting idea, pretty well implemented, about what one physicist with creativity and stability can—and must—do to save New York city from spiraling into chaos and destruction. On a regular basis. The art breaks down in places to a much lower quality, which is somewhat disconcerting. It's a five-issue story that ends maybe a little too patly, but it's definitely worth reading, and I'll read more of Soule's work.

[jesslibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Saving New York City one seemingly random act at a time!

Archaia Entertainment has definitely caught my attention! They've produced some of our staff’s favorite graphic novels of the last few years including The Return of the Dapper Men, Tumor, Cursed Pirate Girl and Sharaz-De and they haven’t missed with Charles Soule’s intense science fiction story about mathematics and fate. Is it really possible that minor corrections can keep The Big Apple in balance? The story is only intensified by the illustration, painting, and coloring courtesy of Greg Scott, Robert Saywitz, and Art Lyon respectively.