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Days Missing #1
Days Missing
Illustrated by Frazer Irving, Chris Burnham, Hugo Petrus and Lee Moder. Cover by Dale Keown.
From Roddenberry Productions, the creators of Star Trek, comes a story about the hidden pages of human history. Since the dawn of time, a being has existed whose interaction and interference with mankind has shaped human development. His powers of time and intellect have allowed him to secretly remove certain critical days from the historical record. Their stories have never been told. Their details have never been documented. Their existence is not remembered. But the occurrences of these days have forever changed the course of humanity’s evolution. These are the Days Missing from our existence, and they are about to be revealed... Collects all five issues of the hit mini-series and includes a cover gallery, design sketches and interviews with the creators.
From Roddenberry Productions, the creators of Star Trek, comes a story about the hidden pages of human history. Since the dawn of time, a being has existed whose interaction and interference with mankind has shaped human development. His powers of time and intellect have allowed him to secretly remove certain critical days from the historical record. Their stories have never been told. Their details have never been documented. Their existence is not remembered. But the occurrences of these days have forever changed the course of humanity’s evolution. These are the Days Missing from our existence, and they are about to be revealed... Collects all five issues of the hit mini-series and includes a cover gallery, design sketches and interviews with the creators.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2010
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Phil Hester
918 books62 followersThis Eisner Award-nominated artist was born in eastern Iowa, where he went on to study at the University of Iowa. His pencilling credits include Swamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch (nominated for the 1997 Eisner Award for Best New Series), Aliens: Purge, and Green Arrow.
Since graduating from the University of Iowa, he has been in the comics industry for over 15 years.
Since graduating from the University of Iowa, he has been in the comics industry for over 15 years.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 22, 2016
This seemed like an interesting concept at first, but I just couldn't get into it... this was so blah.
August 10, 2021
This is the perfect example of what Bill Simmons calls a “5 o clocker.” A 5 o clocker is the term Simmons’ superintendent father would use for the sort of mindless action movies he would see at five o clock after a particularly difficult day superintending his school district. Movies like Armageddon or Shooter probably come to mind. They’re fun, easily digestible, and require barely any thought. Basically, they help you forget where you are and the responsibilities you have for a few hours.
So why is Days Missing a 5 o clocker? It’s an action adventure comic with a clear cut good guy who essentially has superpowers. He’s not morally conflicted. He just does what is required to save the day.
So why is Days Missing a 5 o clocker? It’s an action adventure comic with a clear cut good guy who essentially has superpowers. He’s not morally conflicted. He just does what is required to save the day.
August 16, 2017
This book adds a greater level of importance to certain historical events with the insertion of a character that is the personification of 'deus ex machina.' The Steward is above normal humans and has the task to keep humanity alive by tweaking certain historical events. He does this by traveling to pivotal moments in history and deleting certain days that, if allowed to occur, would lead to the destruction of the world. Each issue happens at a different point in history and the Steward is mostly successful in his mission. The final page adds an interesting twist about his purpose in the grand scheme of things. It's well worth a read for the fans of time travel.
A pandemic-level disease apears in Swaziland in 2004. The Steward goes to area zero of the infection to try to find a cure. He realises the clue is in the king's bloodline, with a child that is immune to the disease, but he must convince the king to not flee his country.
The origin of a famous story is combined with the fictional character of Mary . The Steward influences the people after a volcano explodes in 1815 and a scientist invents a way to potentially resurrect the dead.
Data collected by the Hadron collider could reveal the Steward's existence to one of the scientists working there. The Steward decides to do something drastic before deleting the day when the scientist discovers the folding of time.
In 1519, Hernan Cortez sails his ships toward South America. The Steward can't bear to see a repeat of the deaths and sacking during Columbus's days. He compromises himself when he burns all of Cortez's ships and gets captured.
In 2009 a small group of scientists creates nanites for a medical applicaton. From an accidental brush with one of the scientists hands, they replicate out of control and eventually grow dozens of feet tall, develop sentience and start a rampage of destruction. The Steward has to try several times before he can fix this event.
The last page holds a revelation that shakes the Stewards existence to the core.
A pandemic-level disease apears in Swaziland in 2004. The Steward goes to area zero of the infection to try to find a cure. He realises the clue is in the king's bloodline, with a child that is immune to the disease, but he must convince the king to not flee his country.
The origin of a famous story is combined with the fictional character of Mary . The Steward influences the people after a volcano explodes in 1815 and a scientist invents a way to potentially resurrect the dead.
Data collected by the Hadron collider could reveal the Steward's existence to one of the scientists working there. The Steward decides to do something drastic before deleting the day when the scientist discovers the folding of time.
In 1519, Hernan Cortez sails his ships toward South America. The Steward can't bear to see a repeat of the deaths and sacking during Columbus's days. He compromises himself when he burns all of Cortez's ships and gets captured.
In 2009 a small group of scientists creates nanites for a medical applicaton. From an accidental brush with one of the scientists hands, they replicate out of control and eventually grow dozens of feet tall, develop sentience and start a rampage of destruction. The Steward has to try several times before he can fix this event.
The last page holds a revelation that shakes the Stewards existence to the core.
August 12, 2019
I needed a graphic novel selection for a book club, and this part Dr. Who part Pretender part Quantum Leap mash up - but darker than all 3 - intrigued me from the library shelf. The artwork is fantastic, but the story didn't grab me.
July 11, 2015
Turgid nonsense saved only by excellent collaboration with the artists.
This is the sort of comic book you do when you already have a job making comic books so you want to make more but you don't really care about the audience too much and you don't want to work too hard. You could call this "professional" work, and it is that in every sense of the word.
The concept could not be duller. At least Peabody and Sherman were funny.
I read this because I'm gradually becoming convinced that Frazier Irving is the most important comic book artist out there right now and I wanted to see more of his work. He does wonders with very dull scripts. I think it's because he's so good at letting the hard black silhouettes take the work of the storytelling.
This is the sort of comic book you do when you already have a job making comic books so you want to make more but you don't really care about the audience too much and you don't want to work too hard. You could call this "professional" work, and it is that in every sense of the word.
The concept could not be duller. At least Peabody and Sherman were funny.
I read this because I'm gradually becoming convinced that Frazier Irving is the most important comic book artist out there right now and I wanted to see more of his work. He does wonders with very dull scripts. I think it's because he's so good at letting the hard black silhouettes take the work of the storytelling.
September 9, 2021
The concept of this book - A guardian of Earth - has been done to death by more sources than I care to remember. TV, Films, Books, and Comic books all have given us stories about a sentential/watcher that oversees humanity and steps in o from ourselves. This book fits strongly into that niche, giving us a new perspective by using historical figures - such as Mary Shelly - who never seemed to be a threat to humanity at all. The stories vary in strength but none are really bad and some are original but they do suffer from using different creative teams for each story. The heavier questions are never really approached - such as who is this guy and why does he do what he does? - and the fact that he has to explain himself to every character he encounters gets tiring. That leads to a bigger problem about this character being flat. he has no assistant or superior to interact with and there is no origin story so I was never really sure who he was. He was simply the loneliest man in the world with the most thankless job ever and that made the book too lightweight for me. This series has potential but it needs more meat on the bone to be a truly great read.
August 26, 2021
Days Missing has an intriguing concept: an immortal watcher guides humanity through its darkest moments, inserting himself into the timeline before extinction level events and guiding key individuals on how to prevent it, before wiping any trace of himself from human memory. The first story, a timely one about a deadly pandemic, was excellent. Unfortunately, Days Missing wants to be The Sandman very badly, including adopting all of the eccentricities that make that surreal series hard to get into.
Our watcher, the Shepherd, is rather vague and generic. He inserts himself into odd situations that feel more like The Magic School Bus tour of history instead of interesting, dire events. All of the Who's Who of history vignettes muddle the pace, and the story rarely feels like it has a compelling through-line. It improves towards the end, but I found it mostly a slog in the middle.
Our watcher, the Shepherd, is rather vague and generic. He inserts himself into odd situations that feel more like The Magic School Bus tour of history instead of interesting, dire events. All of the Who's Who of history vignettes muddle the pace, and the story rarely feels like it has a compelling through-line. It improves towards the end, but I found it mostly a slog in the middle.
August 5, 2020
A more palatable version of Doctor Who.
April 24, 2011
O conceito de seres imortais que vivem para além do tempo e vigiam a humanidade não é novo. Days Missing envolve-nos nas aventuras de um ser conhecido apenas como Steward, traduzível como acompanhante, que segue o percurso da humanidade numa biblioteca fora do tempo e que não teme envolver-se quando os acontecimentos ameaçam o destino humano. Apesar de omnisciente, este vigia não é todo poderoso. Tudo o que pode fazer é tentar influenciar os acontecimentos envolvendo-se com os protagonistas e, quando falha, dobrar o dia, revertendo o relógio da história por vinte e quatro horas para tentar novamente mudar os destinos. Esta mistura de intervencionismo, omnisciência, bondade e poder limitado torna esta série cativante. Nas cinco primeiras edições, o vigia tenta salvar uma criança imune a um vírus epidémico que dizima a humanidade, impede uma certa criatura de emergir das pesquisa de um médico chamado Frankenstein, trava um atentado no LHC, falha ao tentar impedir Cortez de desembarcar na costa do México e salva a humanidade de uma praga de nanocriaturas conscientes. O sucesso desta primeira série levou a Archaia e a Roddenberry a investir numa nova série, que introduz Kestus, versão feminina e personagem ambivalente que é obrigada a viver a sua imortalidade entre a humanidade e é a única que se apercebe das intervenções do vigia. Ficção científica pura, bem escrita e solidamente ilustrada.
October 12, 2012
I don't know why people are pooping on this in their reviews. The artwork is a bit inconsistent, but aside from that the concept and execution of this graphic novel are well done.
The last chapter was by far the best and opened the series up to go in interesting directions. I liked a number of the stories. One or two were a little 'eh' to me - but more because of a lack of being compelled by a character or story arch than poor execution or writing.
A volume triple the size would do a great deal more to develop characters, but absent that I was pleased. I plan to pick up the next installment at some point and would recommend this to those that enjoy well-polished graphic novels like those created by Marvel without the trappings of strong language and nudity.
The last chapter was by far the best and opened the series up to go in interesting directions. I liked a number of the stories. One or two were a little 'eh' to me - but more because of a lack of being compelled by a character or story arch than poor execution or writing.
A volume triple the size would do a great deal more to develop characters, but absent that I was pleased. I plan to pick up the next installment at some point and would recommend this to those that enjoy well-polished graphic novels like those created by Marvel without the trappings of strong language and nudity.
March 30, 2015
Able to fold time and relive a day as many times as needed, our mysterious protagonist is as old as the planet and desperate to keep us alive long enough for us to evolve into intellects equal to his. Constantly trying to save us from catastrophes far and near, tiny as an atom and massive as the human race itself, he stands separate and watchful. A series of stand-alone stories, there is a hint at the end of something even bigger and older. I'll definitely keep reading.
First read, May 25 2011. Second read, March 29 2015 in preparation for the second volume.
First read, May 25 2011. Second read, March 29 2015 in preparation for the second volume.
August 14, 2012
While Days Missing has an intriguing premise the execution of the stories fell short. The Steward was a bit boring as a protagonist. For example he had no real moral flaw, yes necessity dictated that he made hard deceptions but he was always cognizant of his behavior. The plotting pase was also off and the narrative was weak. I would read the next volume of this because the idea is really fun and I think it deserves a chance to flesh out. With that said I would have to say vol 1 was ok, 2 stars.
July 21, 2016
Imagine if one person controlled all unimaginable events in our time. One person who could change our fate by changing time. This volume includes several issues each of which includes a certain day in time that was "erased" from our knowledge. Events that all could've ruined mankind and were necessary to be removed.
I really enjoyed the graphics and the idea behind the characters plot. Other than that the font at some points was really hard to read, and I never really grew attached to our main character throughout the story. Interesting concept but blah in the delivery.
I really enjoyed the graphics and the idea behind the characters plot. Other than that the font at some points was really hard to read, and I never really grew attached to our main character throughout the story. Interesting concept but blah in the delivery.
January 24, 2012
The art is consistently good, though once again, some issues are better than others. However, this may be a storytelling device, as the art tends to correspond to the overall feel of the tale. For example, the first tale, which tells of the failing efforts of a scientific team trying to find the cure for a virulent strain of ebola, features art which is dark and sacrifices detail to give the story a frantic, apocalyptic feel.
November 17, 2010
I first heard about this series at NYCC and immediately knew I had to bump it to the top of my to-read list. It definitely did not disappoint. Days Missing proved to be an original and interesting story full of intelligence. Add to that fantastic artwork and you have a graphic novel that should be on everyone's reading list.
February 6, 2015
Fantastic story with wonderful illustrations. I picked this up second hand at Granite State Comic-Con in 2014, and I just read it in January.
I love the idea of the Steward, and I love how the writing twists and turns real-life events into supernatural ones in a very believable way. I'd love to see more books in the series, and I'd like it of Hollywood picked this up too.
I love the idea of the Steward, and I love how the writing twists and turns real-life events into supernatural ones in a very believable way. I'd love to see more books in the series, and I'd like it of Hollywood picked this up too.
October 18, 2015
The first volume of Days Missing collects fice chapters, each done by a different creative team, that are basically a stand alone stories.
The concept is intriguing, but unfortunately some of the chapters are not that interesting.
The art, even though each chapter has a different artist, looks great and fits the stories rather well.
Overall, this is a quick read with an interesting concept.
The concept is intriguing, but unfortunately some of the chapters are not that interesting.
The art, even though each chapter has a different artist, looks great and fits the stories rather well.
Overall, this is a quick read with an interesting concept.
July 14, 2010
Interesting premise, all the more interesting because of it's source, Roddenberry or was it Roddenberry Productions?* Anyway within the framework had individual stories by different writer/artist teams of varying quality.
*Seems like opposite of the Prime Directive. Heh heh.
*Seems like opposite of the Prime Directive. Heh heh.
September 6, 2010
Just not impressed, concept interesting but really hard to fit as comic book concepts. Would be better, potentially, fleshed out in books and by one author, but then again who knows. Concept of next installment interesting too, but since presentation was lacking on this one . . . .
September 17, 2011
I'm addicted to this series! The art is wonderfully drawn and in such detail too! The plot was a little hard to grasp at first but I think the author created a very original story here, and I give him credit for that.
March 1, 2017
I really enjoy this concept, but the first volume is a bit over-expository for me. I love that each story/issue is by a different creative team, though. I'd definitely be interested in more stories featuring this character, too. I'm very stingy with my comics stars, so know that this is a high 3.
August 23, 2011
not bad, i will read more
Read
March 2, 2012i like this book it has lots of twists in it. slow at first but good
June 29, 2012
Interesting concept. Not all that well written or fleshed out, though it has its more promising moments. Perhaps volume 2 gets better?
July 29, 2012
Wow. This book was really good.
August 29, 2012
Worth reading.
January 17, 2013
A neat and serviceable 'guardian of time' type story. Chapter #1's art by Frazer Irving is the stand out but the remaining 4 chapters are also nicely illustrated.
June 30, 2013
fantastic! The stories just work and there's hidden secrets all around. I would love to re-read this and soak up all the details.
December 29, 2016
First and last stories were good, the middle was highly Meh.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews