The Zone Continuum is a delightful sci-fi tale that hasn’t lost any of its charm 22 years after its initial release. A cautionary tale, Zone Continuum is an interesting mix of great art, topical environmental issues, ancient mythology and Metropolis inspired Art Deco science fiction. It also marks creator, Bruce Zick’s return to comics.
Set in a world high above the ground, The Zone Continuum takes to the rooftops above New York City. Hidden from human eyes by ancient technology, the Dar struggle to live in a world separated by extra-dimensional Zones and ravaged by the pollution caused by humans. The Dar once walked upon the Earth but with advancements in human technology, their very survival has been threatened. Radiation from satellites and other man-made tech have made the planet toxic, causing the Zones to shrink and give rise to monstrous entities. These Zones exist in the sky and are the only refuge for the Dar.
Creator Bruce Zick jumps right into the action as internal strife arises between Talon and Spere regarding the correct course to solve the problem of the zone continuum. Talon, the leader of the long lived Dar, prefers a more peaceful solution to the dangers facing their species, humans and the planet. His stance is in direct contrast to Spere’s who sees the elimination of mankind as the only viable solution. Spere’s displeasure with how human pollution is disrupting the Zones has bled into his discontent for Talon’s leadership. He openly challenges Talon, in a bid to change the status quo and reclaim the Earth from humanity.
The Zone Continuum highlights not only the damage being done to the environment but also deals with the ravages of isolation, and the effects our actions can have, knowingly or unknowingly, on others. As humans wage their wars and continue to pollute the Earth, the harm they cause not only effects the planet but also puts the very existence of the Dar in peril. The shrinking zones have cut off the Dar from their loved ones and the relationship between Talon and Paris is a casualty. The pain of their isolation is two-fold – not only felt by them being apart but also by the physical pain they must endure when they try to reach each other by breeching the Zones they inhabit.
Zick’s artwork and love of roof tops is evident as the drama and action sweeps the reader off the ground and into the skies over Manhattan. It has a Ditko-esque feel to it and also evokes some of the imagery from the 1927 science fiction classic, Metropolis. The Zone Continuum is sure to please fans of the original and is a great jumping on point for new readers.
