Zero, Vol. 1: An Emergency

Zero #1

by Aleš Kot, Jordie Bellaire (Illustrator), Morgan Jeske (Illustrator)

Ales Kot's (CHANGE, Secret Avengers) gripping spy thriller AN EMERGENCY, VOL. 1 is the inaugural collection of the hit ongoing series and collecting ZERO #1-5 Edward Zero was the best spy the Agency had -- and then he realized he was working for the wrong side. With art by Michael Walsh, Tradd Moore, Mateus Santolouco, Morgan Jeske, Will Tempest and Jordie Bellaire, ZERO's art is as varied and provocative as its pulse-pounding storyline. "A first issue is the buy in of the great game, story. This is ZERO, and it's where all the action is. Have a seat." Jonathan Hickman (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, EAST OF WEST) "With ZERO, Kot continues to push boundaries of both form and content to stunning and inspiring effect. A new kind of spy thriller written with scope, intelligence and flat out gripping storytelling, ZERO is easily one of my favorite reads of the year." --Scott Snyder (SEVERED, Batman) Critical acclaim for "If you're looking for a different type of comic with a great story, art and colors plus loads of action and intrigue, this is the one for you." -Tony Guerrero, Comic Vine. "Zero is going to be worth keeping an eye on." -James Hunt, Comic Book Resources. "Zero has become one of the finest specimens that the comic book medium has to offer." -David Henderson, Multiversity Comics. "The ending hits you like a silenced 9mm handgun. Definitely a striking read." -David Pepose, Newsarama"

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction, Espionage

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2014

About the author

Aleš Kot is a post-Chernobyl, pre-revolution, Czech-born, California-based writer/producer who started in graphic novels and now makes films, television, and an occasional novella.

A. believe in art and community.
A. doesn't believe in borders nor cops.
A. believes in love, which they know is a very Libra answer. And what about it?

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one’s a mixed bag.

Any time I have to go back and re-read parts of a comic just so I can understand what’s going on or figure out who’s who, it detracts from the enjoyment I have reading.

This one’s an uncertain collage of espionage, science fiction, and action adventure, never quite settling into exactly what it wants to be – even going so far to employ different artists for each issue devoted to a sub-genre. Each issue is effective in and of itself, but when taken as a whole it leaves the reader off balance.

On one hand you have kids raised to be assassin spies, having emotions drilled and drugged out of them – the efficient killing machines. On the other hand you have guys beating the crap out of one another in the most brutal artwork I’ve come across in quite some time. About the Science Fiction elements in the closing couple of pages and what’s actually happening? – I haven’t got a clue.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Bond. George Smiley. Jason Bourne. Edward Zero? Nuh-uh. Although Ales Kot really wishes it were so, his spy/secret agent “character”, Zero, is as archetypical as they get - a bland, yes I’ll make the obvious pun, zero who never feels vaguely real or interesting. But he’s the “star” of this series so settle in for some generic spy stories in this first volume, An Emergency.

The subtitle is a good indicator of what’s wrong with this book. Kot thinks that by throwing in mindless action, showing car chases and gunfights and sex, all without context, that the reader will be enraptured with what they’re reading. It’s An Emergency, Kot says, willing the potential drama those words have as if that were enough - and it’s not.

Zero is telling his life story to a kid assassin pointing a gun at his head. The kid is sent from his old taskmasters, The Agency (oh, the imagination that must’ve gone into dreaming up that name!), who trained him up from a child into an adult killing machine. Um - why is the kid standing there waiting politely for Zero to tell his numerous boring stories? Why doesn’t he just pull the trigger and be done with the assignment - or, as we find out, why doesn’t the adult assassin, who accompanies all the kid assassins, do it for him if the kid can’t pull the trigger? Contrived much?

Zero’s stories are the most generic spy stories ever. He goes to Israel to kill some dude and steal some tech. He goes to Belfast to kill a former IRA terrorist. He goes to Asia to kill a wealthy enemy target. He goes to South America to kill a former spook with secrets. It’s always the same: Zero goes somewhere exotic and fights a bunch of people, killing them. How rote can you get?

Kot tries to add variety to his one-note stories by having a different artist draw a different issue but it doesn’t make them any better to read. The art however is the only positive thing I can say about this book. One of my favourite new artists, Tradd Moore, draws the IRA issue and it looks awesome. Check out his work on Luther Strode and All-New Ghost Rider for some high quality comics.

Morgan Jeske’s art in the South American escapade was noteworthy for carrying the entire issue. It’s almost entirely wordless with Zero and the target fighting and then driving through a densely populated urban environment at speed, and Jeske pulls off the sequences with style, showing a strong understanding of good action.

But really I didn’t mind any of the artists in this book, all of whom put in some great pages - Michael Walsh, Mateus Santolouco, and Will Tempest, who round out the artist roster for this first volume. And Jordie Bellaire’s colours are perfect as usual. The background panels in the Asian issue were coloured alternately yellow and red which for some reason I can’t fathom made it look so eye-catching and exciting - but then that’s why she’s the award-winning colourist and not me!

Kot dedicates the IRA issue to Garth Ennis, partly I’m sure because Ennis is from Northern Ireland, but probably because Kot is a fan, much like I am. There’s even a nod to the second volume of Preacher where Jesse Custer got locked up in a box and thrown to the bottom of a lake, as a kid - the exact same thing happens to Zero. Unfortunately, Kot’s writing is nowhere near Ennis’ standard.

There is no story to Zero Volume 1; it’s an episodic, unconnected blur of stories plucked from different points in Zero’s life without rhyme or reason. Worse, they’re all dull, cliche-ridden pap. The art might be good but it’s not reason enough to pick up this book. I read this tedious comic and felt as emotionless afterwards as Zero is trained up to be.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans of Queen & Country, a pretty decent spy thriller. The art is hit and miss with a different artist drawing each issue.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kot's political writing dunks its toes in the mainstream here, and it's not completely successful. There are two tones at odds with eachother - there's the more cynical, political edge, bumping up against sillier, over the top material.

Having different artists doesn't help the readability.

[Lono · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tank round liquefying a shoulder, an upper lip being savagely bitten off, a hunk of brick ruining years of orthodontics, and a flaccid middle-aged wiener. These are some of the things you have to look forward to in the phenomenal first chapter of ZERO. Ok, maybe not the wiener so much. But it didn't ruin the experience. Ales Kot did a good job of making what could have been a Operation Treadstone clone into something more interesting. Ales jumps back and forth in time to tell the story of Edward Zero's past and present all at once. Didn't care for some of the hi-tech/sci-fi stuff Kot threw in, but I'll give it time to see where he is going with this in the next volume. I appreciated the art throughout. Not very polished, but that's not something I require to be able to enjoy a book. The first chapter actually looked a little like something done by Francesco Francavilla(that's a good thing). The rest of the chapters varied in quality. All were serviceable. Image continues to put out most of the best creator owned stuff on the shelf. If repeated bullet wounds to the head and an aging spook humping like he's got a bad hip is your brand, check it out.

[Robert Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost entirely awesome, with each chapter drawn by a different artist, and the discontinuity of time throughout, it does seem quite disjointed. I was with it all the way up until the last 4 pages, where is really took a wild left turn into WTF-ville!

I was least impressed by the art of Tradd Moore who styled chapter 2...



...but that's just personal preference.



If you were wondering what Mina was whispering, it was... "You shouldn't be able to read this."

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Ales Kot has been talked up by a lot of people since issue #1 came out. Kot, who had a well-received short run on DC's Suicide Squad, delivers up a spy thriller that's dense, uncertain, suspenseful, and full of psychological insight. Zero, Vol 1, An Emergency, collects issues #1-5, for a bargain price of only $9.99, although other first volumes from Image have collected six. Ah, well, never the mind.

Although there's some element of Jason Bourne in Edward Zero, Kot gives the denouement of his story away at the very beginning, showing us an Agent Zero who has apparently gone over to the other side, whatever that is. In the five issues collected here, we begin to see the bits and pieces of what caused Zero to defect, while learning about the monstrous Agency along the way.

Those who don't like "ugly" art, i.e., art that isn't a knock off of Jim Lee or George Perez, won't be happy. The art is unrefined, sketchy, and minimalist. It's also deep, blunt, and brilliant. Each chapter is illustrated by a different artist, so we see differing views of Zero and his world, but even so, there's a certain amount of continuity art wise, that ties everything together well.

Interspersed between many of the issues are texts of interrogations, thoughts, etc., from the POV of the characters.

This is a brutal book. It hit me between the eyes as surely as Agent Zero kills his targets. Nevertheless, while this usually leaves me feeling cold, shallow, and cynical, Kot draws me into this world he has created, making me want to know more.

Well, one of my buddies on Facebook is already telling me not to wait for the next collection, but to go ahead and pick up issues #6 and #7. I just might. I don't know if I can wait.

[Reggie_Love · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not a big reader of espionage plots, but the summary of this graphic novel intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try. Ironically, the plot wasn't what made me dislike it so much. Everything else about the story was pretty much a disaster. The drawings looked more like sketches than final works. There was a part of the story printed to look broken up, but it was so rubbed off that I couldn't even read it. In one chapter, one female is insulted by her co-worker, and in the next scene she is suddenly having sex with him. There is no other build up or explanation, just an insult and then sex. Also, right after the sex, she's laid out spreadeagled, but had time to put her bra back on. I can speak for most women when I say that if we're going to put ONE form of lingerie back on, it's going to be the underwear. Finally, when I made it to the conclusion, which had a great twist, I was confused by the action before. I didn't understand how everything came to be. If felt like it had been wrapped up too quickly. Honestly, this story, for me, would have been better as a novel. There would have been more character development, more ending explanation, and less shock and awe randomness with the sex and violence. I hope other people enjoy this, but it wasn't for me at all.

[The Wintermute System · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very interested in the first issue, which took place partly in gaza, but then it sort of moved on, and I'm not sure what it's saying, where it's going, or even if I like this very much: I didn't hate it enough not to read volume two, but I only have the first from Humble Bundle, so I'm not moving on.

I was excited because I've heard good things about Kot - and he's a good writer. This was just more spy intrigue coupled with what-the-fuckery on a futuristic level and couldn't quite figure out who the good guys were, so meh?

Look, if I get another bundle with another volume, I'll read it, but as it stands? I was also disappointed in what Edward Zero, the hero, did in gaza and I don't think I ever quite got over it or forgave him, so I found him unlikable throughout this - and as he's the character we spend the most time with. Again, meh.

I'm glad I read it, I'm not invested enough to track down or pay for volume 2, though.

[Scott Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zero has gained a lot of buzz during the last several months. It’s typically described as a spy story with ruthless violence and a cold, detached protagonist. Its main claim to fame is that it features a different artist with each new issue.

I’ll be honest. I’m not much for spy stories, but the book has garnered such acclaim, I figured I should give it a shot.

I’m glad I did.

First of all, yes, this is a spy story … sort of. I would actually tell you that it is a spy story with a heavy dose of subtle science fiction. In fact, while the street fights and the gunfights are graphic, violent, and disturbing, the heart of the story revolves around cybernetic enhancements, teleportation devices, and something I’m not going to give away. I like to think of Zero much the same as I think of Aliens—science fiction grounded in thrilling military realism.

And, quite honestly, the revolving artist tool works tremendously. For the most part, each story is unique in terms of tone, content, and plot, and each individual artist fits those aspects perfectly. Zero has found an inventive, authentic way to get many artists involved on the title, and though I’m not sure this technique would work as well with mainstream comic books, it suits Zero well, especially because this single volume spans thirty-eight years.

But, even after having said all of these positive things, I wasn’t sure until the very end of this first volume that I was hooked. I liked what I saw and read, but a book has to be very special indeed to warrant my following. The very last page, though … the very last page did it. That last page hooked me. I have to see where this title is going.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

This was an interesting one. I only vaguely knew going in what to expect with 'Zero' (the barest of bare details: a spy story).

It became so much more than that, though. I won't go into it too much, because to be honest, I am still quite confused. The story jumps around from different points in time during Edward Zero's life. He, and other children, were molded into spies for the 'The Agency,' a mysterious government faction. What side are they fighting for? Are they agents of good or evil? We don't know... and this is where I was thrown off; there really is no focused story. Half the time I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on, who the characters were, and attempting to decipher what they were talking about. Maybe this is due to the fact that the writer, Ales Kot, is trying to draw the readers into Edward's world by throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us? It felt choppy & convoluted all at once.

There are multiple chapters, and each is illustrated by a different artist. It's an interesting concept, and the art is very well done, but it felt at times like I was trying to make sense of one story told by different people. And then, tossed into the last few pages, a surprise science fiction element I was not expecting.

I still don't know what's happening in the story, or where it will go moving forward from Vol. 1, but I do know that I'm intrigued.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK action-adventure story.

The spywork (and wetwork) is actually the weakest part of the volume. It's quite standard without a lot of variance from what I'd expect. The brutality is somewhat refreshing (though less surprising than it was a decade or two ago), but some of these action sequences go on way too long.

Fortunately, the book has other strengths. To start with, there's Edward Zero himself. It's obvious that this story is mainly about him changing, and we see that starting in this volume. In fact,the end of issue #3, and Zero's reaction, is one of the most heartbreaking things I've read in a comic. In addition, we have the weird science-fiction overtones of the series. They're scant in this first volume, but just enough to keep me interested.

This volume trends more toward 3.5 stars than 3, but it just doesn't stand out enough. So, we get an OK story.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this monthly and in the span of 5 issues it has quickly become one of my favorite books. Kot has masterfully crafted a world of espionage and secret government operations where everything is not exactly as it seems. The book employs a unique narrative structure where each issue is a standalone story about the titular character, Edward Zero, yet is part of an overarching narrative about his life and career as a veritable super spy for the Agency. As each issue is essentially a one shot, they all have different artists, this lets each issue breath and works with the writing to create and reinforce the tone of the book. I can not recommend this series highly enough.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit difficult to follow the story in this comic. There's a different artist every issue so the different drawings confused me and sometimes I didn't know who was who. Also, the art quiality goes from very good (issue 1) to not my cup of tea at all (issue 2).
I like the spy genre and I want to know more.

[Damon · Rating 3 out of 5]

AN ok start; looks like it might get more interesting in the next one. Good use of different artists and story telling styles between chapters, making it look like a collection of shorts.

[Devon Munn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lightwhisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different chapters, different art, seems like normal espionage, until the sci-fi ending, leaving me with the desire for volume two.

[Bram Ryckaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book purely based on hype. The praise... is justified.

'Zero' is stellar. At first the plot seems pretty straight-forward: we see Zero as an old man, who wants to get his life story off his chest before he gets a bullet in it. Every issue is a flashback that shows us a chapter in the life of this super spy: his training, covert missions, debriefings, ... Slowly we learn what's going on behind the curtain and that's when it gets more interesting. At first this seems like a pure hard-boiled violent action comic, but some sci-fi elements start to seep in, and that's what gives the book a touch of mystery. The last pages are startling, and offer enough incentive to keep reading.

One of the hooks in 'Zero' is that every issue is done by a different artist. In other books a revolving door of artists sometimes hurts the consistency and identity of the book. That's why this could be a mess, on paper.

The paper has shown though, that this approach is a stroke of brilliance by Kot. Every issue has the right artist for the tone of the story, and every story feels fresh because of it. The more action-heavy issues have rough art with thick lines, whereas the dialogue-heavy #5 has thin lines and a more detailed style.

Another reason why this works is because the issues are all stand-alones, with a large overarching plot of course. But every issue is a story in itself. Because of this, 'Zero' has no chance of becoming stale: with every new issue, Kot reinvents himself.

Even though there's a different artist every time, the coloring is done by one man: Jordie Bellaire. He deserves a lot of credit for what he's done here. His coloring approach also changes for every issue. In the very James Bond-esque #3 there's a lot bright colors at a party, giving the book that 50's technicolor vibe. In #5 however, Zero's quarantined and we get mostly blue and grey throughout, to fit the sterile feel of the issue. The color style fits the art and writing perfectly.

Of all the great Image-books I've read recently, this may be the best one yet. Edward Zero is a man with many faces, and Kot makes sure we remember each one with every issue.

Perfection.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first collection of Ales Kot's Zero feels like it's reaching for something so specific to say and when it doesn't get there, spits out every one of its ideas in one mad breath. It's an action spy thriller with pretensions of geopolitical intrigue, technocratic paranoia, lost love, and transhuman futurism. Almost too much to take in at once.

Edward Zero grows up in a clandestine government school for spies and assasins, affection and empathy weaned out by the handlers as the children grow up. Wither away or become the solo weapon the government wants. Every spy eventually dies alone or makes a break for it and lives a quiet life until the next generation of assassins comes for them. There's a circularity to this world that gets drilled in every chance the comic gets. Zero recounts the episodes of his life to the kid sent to kill him in the future, including an episode where he was the same kid. Even the old spies who learned too much accept things as inevitable; Zero might be the first who envisons a new future.

No, it doesn't always hold together the more you think about it. Kot uses a different artist every issue and whatever new perspective this was meant to bring to each episode gets lost in a hurry. The name-dropping of character names like Zizek and Ginsberg feels like a philosophical stand-in for the comic truly engaging with itself. Did these really bother me? Nah. I can feel the sort of carefree energy Kot brings to the story and when he gets going, it's hard to look away. For anyone who's seen the film Naked, it reminds me of the feeling you get watching David Thewlis' mesmerizing millennium paranoia speech. You're glued to every word. While you're not sure if you'd follow him to the end of the world, you'd at least listen to him all the way.

[Виктор · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read I was going to give it 4 stars but re-reading it made me give it 5.

At first you are reading a very exciting and elegant spy thriller but re-reading it made me aware of all the symbolism and parallelism beneath. I even want to re-read it a third time, for God's sake. Every issue makes you want to search concepts you are not sure about. That makes you learn. You learn a lot reading this.

Maybe I am biased because I love spy genre and most of all Hideo Kojima's work (which I am sure has had a big influence in Zero), but I am really excited to keep reading this series.

The series is written by Ales Kot but each issue is drawn by a different artist, making it so dynamic and interesting, as you are always curious about how the next issue is going to be. It is a groundbreaking concept because graphically, the characters are always changing, allowing you to have a broad concept of how the characters and the places are, from a lot of artists' point of view.

Zero is complex, rich and beautiful. This is not the usual spy story, don't prejudge it, it's gonna change comics.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this for a while, ever since I absolutely fell in love with Kot's Suicide Squad back in May. I trade-wait Image, though, because they are a company that's actually punctual about releasing trades. And I wasn't crazy about the rotating artists.

However, the art won me over. I saw some other people complaining that it seemed unfinished, somewhat sketchy, and I suppose it is. I thought it really added to the overall tone, though. I also appreciate Kot's commitment to sharing the credit with all of his co-creators. One thing I wasn't fond of, though, is how empty the streets of Rio were. Lol. Gave me a good laugh.

Anyway, this story about Edward Zero feels like it should be cliché spy stuff, but it always seems to rise above and subvert the tropes. Secret terrorist kickstarter party? Oh, there's a teleporter. Female boss? Isn't demonized in some faux-male pride sort of thing, very empathetic with her decision-making ability.

Can't wait to see where it goes next, with the giant nod to speculative fiction on the finale page.

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Espionage, politics, backstabbing, deceit, murder, etc... these are all the things that our protagonist not only experiences on a regular basis, but his whole life he was taught with these types of ideals in mind.

We are thrown right into the story of Edward Zero. He's definitely not a hero. Then again, he wasn't raised as a hero, but yet, as a force of good. He is the ultimate description of the ends justifying the means.

I really enjoyed this book, even though there are times where the plot leaves you a bit lost. However this is the first volume, and it is also a book dealing with a lot of deceit and hidden objectives, so that type of mystery only adds to the allure of the book.

So far, the art rotates from issue to issue. Sometimes, its messy, sometimes its hyper stylized. I can honestly say that there wasn't a bad artist in this volume. Each one adds their own style to the issue, and it adds a nice nuance to the book.

Recommended for people who enjoy morally ambiguous spy thrillers.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing spy story and I don't really want to say to much as it's going to be best read going in, with as little information as you can have. it starts in the future, 2038, with an old man sitting in a chair looking out at the ocean from the top of a cliff, sipping a beer. He speaks to someone and we see a kid behind him with a gun pointed at the man's head ready to kill him. The man says he won't stop him but he'd like to tell him a story first and so goes the book. Going to the past, bionic super soldiers, killings, killers for hire, spies, murder, death, etc. It is violent, has its moments of empathy, though it left me without any feelings of high hopes, yet I want to know what will come next. It's dark, oppressive and filled with that loneliness you get in a crowd and I'm super eager to read what happens next. A thrilling, captivating first volume!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty good stuff. An episodic look at the makings of a super soldier/super spy, each issue is illustrated by a different artist, most of whom are very spare in their work. There are a lot of wordless panels in this collection, with the focus on action, sometimes to the detriment of the story (the fourth issue in particular is a bit hard to follow). But I like it. I like it a lot. We follow along as the titular character, Edward Zero, is brought along, seemingly from birth (or shortly after) to be something of a super spy. He is tasked with taking out an IRA sympathizer as a kid, goes into Israel to retrieve tech from a Palestinian super-soldier, etc. Very reminiscent at times of Warren Ellis' work on Global Frequency.

[Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Image continues it's quality run, I've lost count how many excellent series that company currently publishes and Zero is up there on a quality ladder.

Ales Kot as a writer is new find for me, but from now on he's gonna be in my watch list. Vol. 1 contains first five issues, all illustrated by a different artist, and it works just fine as the artist talent fits with the story.

So, now I'm hooked in yet another series because plot seems to be something 'out there' and this new writer who seems to has a talent to put words in the right order. Buy this one, because Image sells these first volumes in a very reasonable prices.

[Haniel Barbosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Procurei ler Zero porque o vi em uma lista de melhores de 2014 descrito como "a non-linear metaphysical thriller". Como não amar?

O mais incrível é que ao ler a estória essa descrição aparentemente sem noção se confirma. O negócio é absurdo. E muito bom. E tem aquela característica das coisas grandiosas: vai em um crescendo que a cada página reverbera mais na sua alma, ao ponto de ao fim você estar em êxtase e incrédulo.

Se antes achava que seria só uma série de ação meio sem noção agora estou doido é pra ir atrás dos próximos volumes.

[Alex Sarll]

'Zizek' is the perfect name for one character here, a shambolic-looking prick running child assassins for an agency whose ends are obscure but whose means are most certainly unpleasant. Beyond that, it's not one of Kot's more thought-provoking works, though having a completely different art style on each chapter works pretty well in terms of establishing the lead's horribly fragmented life.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how to judge spy comics but I liked the art changes in this volume, having a different artist each issue to portray the story in a different light was neat. Issue #3, with Mateus Santolouco on art, was my favourite. It was the most straight-forward spy and action issue but that might be why I enjoyed it more than the big conspiracy-weaving political intrigue stuff of other issues.

[Joey Heflich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I should probably read Suicide Squad now. That, and Tradd Moore and Jordie Bellaire are fucking awesome.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um...