Chrononauts Volume 1
Plot
Corbin and Danny are two lifelong friends who happen to be super-geniuses. Corbin creates the first time machine, which records live footage of the American Civil War. The machine works like a satellite. Later, with Danny's technical help, the satellite is converted into suits that can be worn by humans.
What happens on the first trip, which is recorded live on television around the world, is that Corbin decides to live between eras because he feels nothing awaits him in the present. However, his forays could generate irreversible changes in history. For this reason, they are pursued by Chrono Division, the US government department responsible for helping Corbin create this time machine. In other eras, they are pursued by others interested in the power of time travel.
The story is entertaining and dynamic, with a dose of comedy and many historical and pop culture references. It's a must-read for those who love time travel, buddy adventures, and comics.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Art
The story is spectacularly illustrated by Sean Gordon Murphy, who perfectly captures the comedy and action. The precision of the details is impressive, reminiscent of science fiction and car chase sequences from all eras. It has a manga influence, but at the same time, European comics, with textures that make it mesmerizing.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Chrononauts Volume 2: Futureshock
Plot
This adventure begins with Danny and Corbin in their new time machine, The Timehawk, ready to take their first trip to the future after five missions to the past. By this time, Corbin has married Rachel, and they have a daughter named Matilda.
This first trip suffers a terrible accident when The Timehawk fails to travel to the future, and they are mysteriously sent back in time at random. The way they return is extremely funny, very similar to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
This comic features two characters from the past, Professor Cross and Bronwyn, who are trying to stop a new September 11 attack in Paris. They are new time travelers, and their plans are dangerous.
This comic explains a bit about Corbin's past. His grandparents were in charge of caring for him after he was orphaned by his mother. Cross brings them to the future and cures all their ailments with the latest nanotechnology that eliminates the need for surgery. This also makes Corbin's wife, Rachel, fall in love with this era. Everyone is adapting wonderfully. But it's all a trap.
This volume focuses a bit more on Corbin's origin story and his desire to travel back in time. It moves away from a buddy comedy story to focus more on drama and redemption. There's also plenty of comedy and plot twists, especially in chapters 7 and 8.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Art
The art is less influenced by the manga, but with many more textures that give it an interesting dynamic tone, although it sometimes goes overboard with the strokes.
Rating: 4 out of 5
