Review - Seven Percent #1

Humans and medical research have forever attempted to unlock the full potential of the human brain. The thinking is that if the brain is fully utilized, humans will be able to do so much more than they currently do; maybe even superhuman things. Seven Percent #1 from Red 5 Comics is such a book that looks at that last bit of untapped potential.

The title is written by Luke Keith and Jeremy Fiest, with art by Jarreau Wimberly.

In 3499 A.D., Earth has been abandoned. There's a group seeking out an object named the Psion Machine, a piece of technology perceived as the most powerful in the entire universe. It was created centuries ago by Dr. Adam Bell and is currently being studied by Jonathan Ethan Chambers. The catch? Chambers is a Separatist, living in secret with the machine in Subterra.

The concept explored by Keith and Fiest sparks a lot of curiosity in the reader. After all, if humans were capable of using the entirety of their brains, what would that mean in the way of everyday affairs? While the question isn't answered in the first issue, the writing duo manage to present the answer atmospherically. That is, they make it clear that the Psion Machine is quite the prize, despite no one quite knowing exactly what it does. It's fascinating that characters are so blindly committed to the possibility of self-improvement with no knowledge of the full ramifications.

The additional twist that makes the concept even more intriguing is that the device is with a group of Separatists. Normally, you'd expect something like this to be in the hands of the evil intergalactic organization (in this case, Stone Corp.). The company rules with an iron fist and proceeds with military engagements as if they're simply doing the citizens a favor by being there. The oppression is truly impressive, yet still prompts the Separatists to fight to understand the Psion Machine better.

Wimberly's art is impressive throughout. Character models are detailed and infused with photorealism, helping to propel the story set so far in the future along perfectly. The visual representation of failed experiments with the Psion Machine present an almost feral individual, regressing as opposed to demonstrating the expected progress. If there's one minor gripe though, it's that some of the panels are excessively dark. Granted, a good chunk of the issue takes place in Subterra, but there are some instances where it's very difficult to discern what exactly is happening.

Overall, the premise behind Seven Percent #1 is sound and is being set up well. Nothing is known about the Psion Machine aside from the fact that everyone wants it and the thought of humans fully utilizing their brains is quite tantalizing. If the military aspects of the book don't take over too much (and devolve the book into a war book), there could be tons of subject matter to mine in the search for the missing seven percent.

Seven Percent #1 is available now on both comiXology and iVerse.