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The Engineer: Konstrukt by Brian Churilla
An ancient sentient entity is feasting on the very fabric of space and time. Only one man can stop The Engineer, last survivor of the destroyed Earth. Utilizing a colossal pipe organ that enables pan-dimensional travel, The Engineer pursues the lost components of The Konstrukt, an archaic mechanism that imbues whoever possesses it with the ability to manipulate reality itself, in the hopes of using it to defeat the creature and undo the incalculable damage it has already done. Giant bat creatures, were-crabs, immense rock creatures, amorphous witches, and armies of undead abound in this pulpy sci-fi romp for all ages Collects and completes The Engineer series.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews
November 17, 2015
I think Brian said it best. "ridiculous, but likable"
March 1, 2017
This book is ridiculous, but I liked it.
June 7, 2011
The Engineer: Konstrukt starts fast, laying out the central conflict on page one of the book. An immense, ancient entity of the Lovecraftian variety is devouring the universe. One thing can stop it: the Konstrukt, an equally ancient device of mysterious origins. The only catch is that the Konstrukt is broken, its many cogs and wheels scattered throughout the fabric of space and time. The Engineer is one man tasked with finding these pieces and reassembling the Konstruct, enabling life as we know it to go on. With that out of the way, the rest of the book is monsters, action and weirdness.
It’s a great concept, but Brian Churilla and Jeremy Shepherd fail to deliver an interesting story. Space travel and monster bashing are fun, but standard fare in the world of comics. There is nothing new or particularly fun in the Engineer’s character. The majority of the dialog in the book consists of the Engineer talking to himself while he fights monsters. Even he seems to get bored of his own running commentary and starts to repeat lines line “That wasn’t so bad!” and “How do like that?” Another problem is that the book has transition issues. While reading, I stopped multiple times and flipped back a few pages, thinking I had skipped a page or that I had missed a key panel, but that wasn’t the case. The story just makes awkward jumps from one scene to another. There’s also a running joke about chickens that falls flat. It seems to be an attempt at Eric Powell (The Goon) style humor, but it comes off as forced and a bit distracting.
The weakness of the writing is especially noticeable against the brilliance of the art in The Engineer. Churilla’s line work is great, clearly influenced by Mike Mignola, but not a slavish copy. There is a fluid quality to his drawing. His style has a smoothness that captures all the necessary detail, but omits anything that would clutter up the scene. There are no throwaway panels here – each one looks as if it could be blown up and made in to a poster. Shepherd’s colors add depth and emotion to the line work. The ethereal blue glow of the Konstruct parts is especially arresting.
Churilla and Shephard are clearly talented individuals, but ultimately The Engineer: Konstrukt is a book that makes for better viewing than reading.
It’s a great concept, but Brian Churilla and Jeremy Shepherd fail to deliver an interesting story. Space travel and monster bashing are fun, but standard fare in the world of comics. There is nothing new or particularly fun in the Engineer’s character. The majority of the dialog in the book consists of the Engineer talking to himself while he fights monsters. Even he seems to get bored of his own running commentary and starts to repeat lines line “That wasn’t so bad!” and “How do like that?” Another problem is that the book has transition issues. While reading, I stopped multiple times and flipped back a few pages, thinking I had skipped a page or that I had missed a key panel, but that wasn’t the case. The story just makes awkward jumps from one scene to another. There’s also a running joke about chickens that falls flat. It seems to be an attempt at Eric Powell (The Goon) style humor, but it comes off as forced and a bit distracting.
The weakness of the writing is especially noticeable against the brilliance of the art in The Engineer. Churilla’s line work is great, clearly influenced by Mike Mignola, but not a slavish copy. There is a fluid quality to his drawing. His style has a smoothness that captures all the necessary detail, but omits anything that would clutter up the scene. There are no throwaway panels here – each one looks as if it could be blown up and made in to a poster. Shepherd’s colors add depth and emotion to the line work. The ethereal blue glow of the Konstruct parts is especially arresting.
Churilla and Shephard are clearly talented individuals, but ultimately The Engineer: Konstrukt is a book that makes for better viewing than reading.
June 27, 2011
I was sitting with Child and I looked at him. I'm sorry, I said. I just can't go on with it. Is it okay if we do another book instead?
He nodded--and ran to get some old (so far, not good) Green Lantern graphic novel...
Some books have everything you want: unconventional heroes, mishmashed genres--but I just couldn't get into the spirit of this one--I don't know why....
It could be because it still had the story arc of saving the Universe from Unspeakable evil (I kept thinking it'd make an interesting summer movie) and maybe that was it. It's a very European style comic, but it doesn't get as eccentric as a Bilal or Moebius--or that other guy I like--whatsisname... By now I'm wondering if Evil is the least of our worries and whether we need to fight something worse: Boredom.
He nodded--and ran to get some old (so far, not good) Green Lantern graphic novel...
Some books have everything you want: unconventional heroes, mishmashed genres--but I just couldn't get into the spirit of this one--I don't know why....
It could be because it still had the story arc of saving the Universe from Unspeakable evil (I kept thinking it'd make an interesting summer movie) and maybe that was it. It's a very European style comic, but it doesn't get as eccentric as a Bilal or Moebius--or that other guy I like--whatsisname... By now I'm wondering if Evil is the least of our worries and whether we need to fight something worse: Boredom.
Read
May 8, 2010Excellent! it's like Mister X took on the personality of Hellboy and Spider Jerusalem. The Engineer was chosen by three amorphous and powerful witch-creatures to retrieve the pieces of a device that can manipulate space-time (which is needed to combat the evil god-creature that is consuming the universe). He receives musical scores which, when played on a mighty alchemical pipe organ, transport him to the location of the next piece. Where he usually gets beat up. Assisted in his lab by his trusty robot Roland, the Engineer suffers through his labors while trying to create bigger chickens.
February 24, 2013
Brilliantly written, beautifully illustrated; if you took Goon and rounded off a few of the more gritty parts to that diamond in the rough you will come to the Refined quick story of saving the world. It is well set up for the second volume; and I am sure the entire arc will be "Well Engineered" ;)
June 27, 2012
Meh. Not a big fan of the prologue, felt the necessary info could have been conveyed with exposition and/or dialogue. There was too much reliance on the art to carry the story, and I would've preferred a greater investment in character. Over all, failed to grab me & make me want #2.
March 1, 2010
Bold and vital art, highly cliched story. The short story in this hardcover was the funniest bit.
May 24, 2010
OMG, the colors! And the art! Not to mention a cool story and who doesn't love huge glorious organs? The kind that play music, get your mind out of the gutter!
September 21, 2015
SOMETHING DIFFERENT.......
April 1, 2017
It's hard to review this book without comparing it to something else because it really wears its influences on its sleeves. There's a bit of a HELLBOY feel, mixed with some EC comics irony, some MR. X indy comic vibe, and some IMAGE comics coloring. It all adds up to a fun, escapist comic about a reluctant hero that's fighting monsters to save the world. Or the universe. Maybe both. If you're looking for something NEW, there's not much here. But if the component parts sound fun, it's a nice piece of escapist adventure. I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews