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Ether #1
Ether, Vol. 1: Death of the Last Golden Blaze
A science-minded adventurer gets mixed up in the mysteries of a fantasy world in this charming new adventure from an award-winning creative team. Boone Dias is an interdimensional explorer, a scientist from Earth who has stumbled into great responsibility. He's got an explanation for everything, so of course the Ether's magical residents turn to him to solve their toughest crimes. But maybe keeping the Real and the Abstract separate is too big a job for just one man.
Collects Issues #1-5 of Matt Kindt and David Rubín's Ether.
Collects Issues #1-5 of Matt Kindt and David Rubín's Ether.
136 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 3, 2017
Ether, Volume One is a production joining the forces of Matt Kindt as writer and David Rubin as illustrator. If you looked at their independent artwork and storytelling side by side, you would think they have nothing in common. Kindt writes postmodern mysteries with sketchy artwork (Mind Mgmt). Rubin works in fantasy, something that Kindt in an afterword admits he never liked. Yet one day he sketches the idea for a story about a scientist in a magical fifth dimension, asked to investigate a murder. He’s skeptical of magic, he’s a rationalist, he’s a scientist. He has to have a logical explanation for why things work.
Neither Rubin nor Kindt are known for being straightforward storytellers, but in this the underlying narrative is almost bland, in that while various adventures happen, the point is just to suggest the right-brained must be open to the possibilities of the left. Magic happens, man. Okay!
Rubin (The Hero) is a good choice for fantasy artwork, since he gets the opportunity to create images of all sorts of bizarre creatures and go wild. This is Rubin’s forte, I think, not that I am a particular fan of the artwork on this particular project. I liked the artwork, though not so much the story, of Rubin’s The Hero; it reminded me of Paul Pope’s wild work, to which I give mixed reviews. Here Rubin’s artwork is sometimes interesting, sometimes goofy. Fantastical fun, I guess, but as Kindt himself might say, not quite my cuppa. Because I like Kindt, I will keep reading a bit.
Neither Rubin nor Kindt are known for being straightforward storytellers, but in this the underlying narrative is almost bland, in that while various adventures happen, the point is just to suggest the right-brained must be open to the possibilities of the left. Magic happens, man. Okay!
Rubin (The Hero) is a good choice for fantasy artwork, since he gets the opportunity to create images of all sorts of bizarre creatures and go wild. This is Rubin’s forte, I think, not that I am a particular fan of the artwork on this particular project. I liked the artwork, though not so much the story, of Rubin’s The Hero; it reminded me of Paul Pope’s wild work, to which I give mixed reviews. Here Rubin’s artwork is sometimes interesting, sometimes goofy. Fantastical fun, I guess, but as Kindt himself might say, not quite my cuppa. Because I like Kindt, I will keep reading a bit.
February 14, 2020
Boone Dias is a scientist who has stumbled into a magical world. There he applies his observational skills into solving crimes. Kindt and especially David Rubin have crafted an engaging, quirky, crazy weird story and world. Rubin's art reminds me of one of those old creepy, crazy cartoons from the '30's. 
January 11, 2019
4.0 Stars
This was such a refreshing graphic novel told from the perspective of a logical scientist who was striving to “debunk” the magic in this portal fantasy world. I loved the wit and humour in this novel, which was constantly poking fun at classic tropes of the fantasy genre. The full colour illustrations were attractive and the narrative was easy to follow. I highly recommend this graphic novel to SFF readers who enjoy a fun, satirical read.
This was such a refreshing graphic novel told from the perspective of a logical scientist who was striving to “debunk” the magic in this portal fantasy world. I loved the wit and humour in this novel, which was constantly poking fun at classic tropes of the fantasy genre. The full colour illustrations were attractive and the narrative was easy to follow. I highly recommend this graphic novel to SFF readers who enjoy a fun, satirical read.
February 14, 2020
David Freaking Rubín!!! There are no words besides master cartoonist to describe David. Such a unique style with thin / thick smooth line work melding with high chromatic value color and bio-infused subject matter. Place-setting initial volume books are typically my favorites. The world or worlds Kindt puts in place, along with the characters, and method for transversing those worlds make me crave more... soon...
Many thanks to the superstar duo of Matt Kindt and David Rubín! A dream team type team-up.
Many thanks to the superstar duo of Matt Kindt and David Rubín! A dream team type team-up.
March 26, 2018
This lived up to the promise of its premise for me. I liked Rubin's art and I think his ability to portray action and emotion is excellent. Great pairing between the author and artist. I look forward to reading more.
July 29, 2022
Boone Dias és un humà que ha descobert com viatjar a Ether, un altre món on la màgia regeix la realitat. El protagonista usa la seua desenvolupada capacitat d’anàlisi racional per enfrontar-se als perills irracionals del mon fantàstic d’Ether. Així és com acaba sent reclutat per investigar un succés esgarrifós i gravíssim.
Així que tenim una història de misteri ambientada en un món de fantasia. Un món amb un aspecte colorit i extravagant, molt ben construït. Tenim també un personatge protagonista molt interesant, amb una història passada, amb aspectes ocults, que anirem descobrint poc a poc. Tenim també uns personatges secundaris molt interessants i ben dissenyats. També hi ha algun toc d’humor i acció que ajuden a fer la trama més entretinguda. Pot ser la investigació en sí és el més fluix, però no és tan greu, al haver altres fils argumentals que s’entrellacen. Cal destacar l’apartat gràfic i el color, amb el disseny del món i dels personatges; així com la narració visual i la disposició de les vinyetes. Interessant i recomanable.
Aquest volum és el primer d’una sèrie, però es pot llegir de manera independent.
Prèstec de la Biblioteca de la Universitat Jaume I.
Així que tenim una història de misteri ambientada en un món de fantasia. Un món amb un aspecte colorit i extravagant, molt ben construït. Tenim també un personatge protagonista molt interesant, amb una història passada, amb aspectes ocults, que anirem descobrint poc a poc. Tenim també uns personatges secundaris molt interessants i ben dissenyats. També hi ha algun toc d’humor i acció que ajuden a fer la trama més entretinguda. Pot ser la investigació en sí és el més fluix, però no és tan greu, al haver altres fils argumentals que s’entrellacen. Cal destacar l’apartat gràfic i el color, amb el disseny del món i dels personatges; així com la narració visual i la disposició de les vinyetes. Interessant i recomanable.
Aquest volum és el primer d’una sèrie, però es pot llegir de manera independent.
Prèstec de la Biblioteca de la Universitat Jaume I.
June 18, 2018
Well this was decent, with some neat ideas mixed in. We don't really tackle that central "applying the scientific method to magic" theme the book really seems centered around. Instead its just a magical adventure with hi-jinks. There are some great moments of dissonance, when our lead heads back to Earth, and we're struck with his abysmal existence outside of the Ether. This book is at its best when a weird, dark moment of emotional depth creeps up on you, but for the vast majority, it's a goofy/silly magic fantasy murder mystery, that really doesn't do anything inventive.
Rubin's art is good, and I DO want to know more about certain characters, hard to say if I'm on the hook for volume two or not. Really I could go either way, so here's your three stars.
Rubin's art is good, and I DO want to know more about certain characters, hard to say if I'm on the hook for volume two or not. Really I could go either way, so here's your three stars.
October 27, 2019
Havent found a Kindt story that's blown me away yet. This was wacky, art was cool but probably my fave Kindt story to date, although havent read alot his work.
February 8, 2021
Un Sherlock Holmes al País de Mai Més. Fabulós. Sense of wonder a la màxima potencia, multiplicat per un Rubín en estat de gracia.
August 2, 2017
Matt Kindt usually just blows me away and "Ether" didn't quite live up to my expectations, though I still really enjoyed it. A bit different from Matt's usual; this time we've got a fantastical world where all the fantasy you can imagine exists in the same wold, the "Ether". Into this world is projected an agent of science. He goes into the Ether and dismantles all the magical happenings and such by explaining them with science. Typical of Kindt the book also involves a mystery and our main character has to solve a murder case while he's investigating magic through science. The end notes let us know this series will continue to be a mix of mystery cases in this fantasy vs reality universe. The art is really fun and definately adds to the fantastical atmosphere. Not what I'd been expecting but very good and I'd be interested in reading the next volume.
October 14, 2019
Matt Kindt is a skilled author, but he can get a bit obtuse and long-winded, as with his doorstop Mind MGMT series. With Ether, though, Kindt appears to have a found a fast-paced and fascinating concept and then joined with David Rubin to reach truly mind-bending levels of creativity.
Ether focuses on Boone Dias, a scientist who is called in to research a newly discovered alternate dimension, the titular Ether, where magic takes the place of our science. Of course, the scientist's goal is to prove that the magic is actually based in science. He uses this viewpoint to his advantage, solving various mysteries in the Ether. Don't expect this story to be a commonplace urban fantasy, though, as things get weird.
For instance, the way to travel to the Ether is by fully committing to killing yourself. Huh! Dark! It's noted in an aside that Boone is especially good at this, a point that I'm sure will be explored in future volumes. That's my one quibble with this volume, actually - we never learn much about Boone himself, aside from the fact that he's quite capable at science and has a rough home life due to his fascination with the Ether.
The larger mystery in this volume feels like a bit of a macguffin at this point, simply a tool to introduce us to the world and all of it's characters. I was fine with that. The Ether and it's inhabitants are legit fascinating, if not quite well-rounded characters yet. I suspect we'll get there, though.
And, lest I forget, Rubin's art is intense and vivid and detailed, making each page worth a second look. The extras in this volume are, for once, absolutely worth a read, since they reveal the complex development of Ether (Kindt initially planned to illustrate it and we get to compare a few of his character designs to Rubin's). The extras also offer a few tantalizing hints at what's to come. Can't wait!
Ether focuses on Boone Dias, a scientist who is called in to research a newly discovered alternate dimension, the titular Ether, where magic takes the place of our science. Of course, the scientist's goal is to prove that the magic is actually based in science. He uses this viewpoint to his advantage, solving various mysteries in the Ether. Don't expect this story to be a commonplace urban fantasy, though, as things get weird.
For instance, the way to travel to the Ether is by fully committing to killing yourself. Huh! Dark! It's noted in an aside that Boone is especially good at this, a point that I'm sure will be explored in future volumes. That's my one quibble with this volume, actually - we never learn much about Boone himself, aside from the fact that he's quite capable at science and has a rough home life due to his fascination with the Ether.
The larger mystery in this volume feels like a bit of a macguffin at this point, simply a tool to introduce us to the world and all of it's characters. I was fine with that. The Ether and it's inhabitants are legit fascinating, if not quite well-rounded characters yet. I suspect we'll get there, though.
And, lest I forget, Rubin's art is intense and vivid and detailed, making each page worth a second look. The extras in this volume are, for once, absolutely worth a read, since they reveal the complex development of Ether (Kindt initially planned to illustrate it and we get to compare a few of his character designs to Rubin's). The extras also offer a few tantalizing hints at what's to come. Can't wait!
July 18, 2017
There are several books right now, mostly from Image Comics and Dark Horse comics, that feature characters traveling between worlds/dimensions. It's a trend I've been mostly enjoying.
I'm also a big fan of Matt Kindt's work on Dept. H, Volume One: Pressure, MIND MGMT, Volume One: The Manager, Past Aways #1, and his work for Valiant comics.
So I was disappointed to be so uninvested in this title.
Usually, there's levels of mystery to Kindt's writing. You're not always sure what's going to happen next, or even what just happened, but you know by the end of the story arc that there will be a satisfying conclusion/explanation.
In Ether, every character announces exactly what they're doing and how they are going to do it, almost as if they're all children's TV hosts, instead of characters in a sci-fi adventure comic.
It's a bold change in writing style, and some people might find it really endearing and fun. It didn't work for me.
David Rubin's art, however, is complex and fun while still having great weight to it. The muted color pallete matches up with the work Kindt draws himself, and suits the story really well.
I'm also a big fan of Matt Kindt's work on Dept. H, Volume One: Pressure, MIND MGMT, Volume One: The Manager, Past Aways #1, and his work for Valiant comics.
So I was disappointed to be so uninvested in this title.
Usually, there's levels of mystery to Kindt's writing. You're not always sure what's going to happen next, or even what just happened, but you know by the end of the story arc that there will be a satisfying conclusion/explanation.
In Ether, every character announces exactly what they're doing and how they are going to do it, almost as if they're all children's TV hosts, instead of characters in a sci-fi adventure comic.
It's a bold change in writing style, and some people might find it really endearing and fun. It didn't work for me.
David Rubin's art, however, is complex and fun while still having great weight to it. The muted color pallete matches up with the work Kindt draws himself, and suits the story really well.
October 22, 2018
This was a very pleasant surprise and a change from what I already knew from Kindt. My usual approach, when writting about what I read, is to find connections. Sandman, I believe, was responsible fro creating a narrative style where two different realities (or a reality and the land of the unreal) co-exist. Ether seems to follow that recent tradition. But its own blend of influences and inovations is refreshing, and a lot of fun.
In the time(s) when the first Volume occurs, there is a huge contrast between the real reality and the unreal reality. The main character is able to navigate both. The real plane is gray and harsh, and the Ether is outlandish and extravagant. There was an echo of Mièville's masterpice "Embassytown", where time and space work very differently in the "Immer" and in the "normal" reality.
Ether is not the only recent comic series to have this clash of realites in a dualistic fashion. "The Unwritten" works like that, too. In Carey's work, it is the connection between the two planes that becomes central to the story. Given the self-destructive obssession of the main character with Ether, which intersects the VR/cyber reality sci-fi tradition in works like "Neuromancer" or the film "EXistenZ", maybe this connection of planes will also be important to the plot and character development.
Already eager to read the upcoming volumes. This was great.
In the time(s) when the first Volume occurs, there is a huge contrast between the real reality and the unreal reality. The main character is able to navigate both. The real plane is gray and harsh, and the Ether is outlandish and extravagant. There was an echo of Mièville's masterpice "Embassytown", where time and space work very differently in the "Immer" and in the "normal" reality.
Ether is not the only recent comic series to have this clash of realites in a dualistic fashion. "The Unwritten" works like that, too. In Carey's work, it is the connection between the two planes that becomes central to the story. Given the self-destructive obssession of the main character with Ether, which intersects the VR/cyber reality sci-fi tradition in works like "Neuromancer" or the film "EXistenZ", maybe this connection of planes will also be important to the plot and character development.
Already eager to read the upcoming volumes. This was great.
May 8, 2018
I'm fan of David Rubín, so even Kindt let me down with Dept. H, I still wanted to read this. And it is good. really good. I believe this kind of setting is very comfortable for Rubín's art, bit magical, bit dark and harsh. And I really love the contrast in Rubín's bright and dim colours. And one more thing which I love and believe David Rubín do it especially well is one scene progressive pannels. Like multiple panels are part of one scene, so they can be put together as one, but each one is one step forward in time (usually in horizontal matter). So art is great. No doubt. And the story is very good too. I feel that the "Ether" could be more "living", and it is so focusing on main characters that all is left behind, even when there is place to giving up on other characters or world around (and this is what I felt with Dept. H, but with less vivid word - deep sea, it's more obvious).
Anyway, The Ether is good story with splendid art.And I'm looking forward to second arc, staring next week.
Anyway, The Ether is good story with splendid art.And I'm looking forward to second arc, staring next week.
December 27, 2017
I wasn't too excited by this. Normally, I'm a big fan of Matt Kindt, but he kind of subverts his usual style here by having the characters loudly announce everything they're going to do, narrate events, etc. Rather than letting us figure it out for ourselves or leaving an air of mystery about things. I like the artwork, but the story just didn't grab me--even with all that explication, it's still just a bit too weird and unexplained as to what the heck is going on. Kind of strange, I know, but I was a bit surprised myself to be so bored with it all.
June 23, 2019
Ether draws its ideas from a wide array of novels, movies, and comics about characters able to move between our mundane, everyday world and another fantastical, magical one. Unfortunately, Ether buckles under the weight of so many obvious influences, and very little seems uniquely its own. The craftsmanship is impressive (both Kindt and Rubín do excellent work), but the book itself is unremarkable.
August 6, 2017
Más que agradable introducción de un mundo de fantasía y unos personajes donde, como es habitual, destacan las excepcionales ilustraciones de Rubin. Me ha sorprendido el guión de Kindt que, sin alejarse de la sencillez, acierta a presentar una multitud de aspectos en poco más de 100 páginas. Tengo ganas de leer cómo sigue.
November 25, 2017
Matt Kindt writing a murder mystery that takes place in a fantasy realm? Yes, sign me up for every volume of this, please. It is just as good as you are imagining it to be, and if you are concerned that Kindt is not the artist, don't be — David Rubin might as well be inside Kindt's head, and his colors are stunning.
November 16, 2021
Un libro absolutamente impresionante. Lo cogí sin ninguna referencia en absoluto, porque me llamó la atención en la biblioteca, y me atrevo a decir que es de los mejores cómics que haya leído en muchos años. Kindt y Rubín se compenetran a la perfección para crear un tomo cerrado, único y que aun así abre la puerta a un mundo amplísimo e interesante.
No se me ocurre muy bien qué decir del cómic, porque es que tenía la sensación de que TODO lo hacía bien. El wordbuilding es brutal: un mundo de fantasía desatada, con una mezcla entre tintes clásicos e ideas mucho más modernas, investigado por un aventurero de nuestra época y realidad, que lo enfrenta con mentalidad científica. Personajes que, aunque son un poco arquetípicos, no dejan de ser interesantes. Un juego con las viñetas y el dibujo inteligentísimo. Diseños de personajes atractivos (no físicamente, sino en cuanto a su caracterización) y, lo más importante, NO NORMATIVOS. Un manejo brutal del ritmo y de las elipsis (se me ha quedado grabada esa narrativa de una ruptura con un flashback que solo dura una página, solo se ambienta en un pasillo y no tiene ni un globo de diálogo... pero que aun así basta y sobra para explicar que dos personajes rompieron, por qué lo hicieron, la personalidad de ambos, y cómo lo sobrellevan años después)...
De verdad, todo bien. En cuanto lo he terminado he reservado los dos tomos siguientes en la biblioteca. "Ether" me ha atrapado con una originalidad y una belleza que pocas veces he visto (recientemente, solo con "Saga" de Vaughan y, en mucha menor medida, "The Brave and the Bold: Batman y Wonder Woman" de Liam Sharp) en el medio. Recomendadísimo.
No se me ocurre muy bien qué decir del cómic, porque es que tenía la sensación de que TODO lo hacía bien. El wordbuilding es brutal: un mundo de fantasía desatada, con una mezcla entre tintes clásicos e ideas mucho más modernas, investigado por un aventurero de nuestra época y realidad, que lo enfrenta con mentalidad científica. Personajes que, aunque son un poco arquetípicos, no dejan de ser interesantes. Un juego con las viñetas y el dibujo inteligentísimo. Diseños de personajes atractivos (no físicamente, sino en cuanto a su caracterización) y, lo más importante, NO NORMATIVOS. Un manejo brutal del ritmo y de las elipsis (se me ha quedado grabada esa narrativa de una ruptura con un flashback que solo dura una página, solo se ambienta en un pasillo y no tiene ni un globo de diálogo... pero que aun así basta y sobra para explicar que dos personajes rompieron, por qué lo hicieron, la personalidad de ambos, y cómo lo sobrellevan años después)...
De verdad, todo bien. En cuanto lo he terminado he reservado los dos tomos siguientes en la biblioteca. "Ether" me ha atrapado con una originalidad y una belleza que pocas veces he visto (recientemente, solo con "Saga" de Vaughan y, en mucha menor medida, "The Brave and the Bold: Batman y Wonder Woman" de Liam Sharp) en el medio. Recomendadísimo.
April 20, 2020
Estupenda puesta en escena de un universo donde la razón se da de bruces con el universo paralelo que representa la magia y imaginación desbordante. Boone Días tendrá que pagar un alto precio para transitar entre ambos mundos. Su particular lucha por demostrar que nada escapa al ámbito racional le pasará factura tanto a nivel personal como familiar. Para evitar que se produzca un choque entre ambos mundos o aspectos de la psique, Boone deberá esclarecer quién ha asesinado a la llama, o si se prefiere el alma que guarda las esencias. Boone transita por mundos y ciudades delirantes acompañado de criaturas que le ayudarán a comprender un poco más sobre sí mismo. Desde lo bestial, primario e instintivo (Glum) hasta lo mágico y creativo (Violet Bell).
David Rubín se luce con unas ilustraciones y una utilización del color que nos transporta inmediatamente a mundo habitado por unas criaturas increíbles, unos paisajes de ensueño y unos objetos maravillosos. Estoy entre los que me tiro de cabeza a la piscina para poder llegar rápido al segundo tomo (y los que lo hayan leído ya saben a que me refiero).
David Rubín se luce con unas ilustraciones y una utilización del color que nos transporta inmediatamente a mundo habitado por unas criaturas increíbles, unos paisajes de ensueño y unos objetos maravillosos. Estoy entre los que me tiro de cabeza a la piscina para poder llegar rápido al segundo tomo (y los que lo hayan leído ya saben a que me refiero).
August 19, 2021
This story was very creative and supremely strange. This made it totally unpredictable which was great but I'm not sure I'm fully sold on it. The murder mystery aspect is totally my thing but I'm not convinced about it being set in a completely bizarre world/dimension where there seem to be few logical rules. That is Boone's dilemma as a scientist exploring the Ether and trying uncover the natural laws behind it. It was kind-of fun and completely weird. I think I will need more to see if I can get into it.
August 27, 2021
The scientific take on a fantasy world is original. The art and coloring is fantastic and I love all the secondary characters. I love the idea of The Blaze and how that role is more relevant to Boone as time goes on. I also really like the way the female characters are portrayed visually and all have some kind of power. Boone can be a lot sometimes with his scientific theories and staunch determinism.
August 6, 2021
This portal fantasy is decidedly weird and breaks the rules for storytelling, but I …liked it? Yes, I think I kinda did.
January 2, 2024
Man, this took me until the next year to finish 😉
August 14, 2021
3.5/5.0
December 15, 2019
Después de leer su versión en cómic de Beowulf hace tiempo, al saber que venía a mi ciudad a firmar ejemplares tocó ponerse al día con otras de sus obras y así llegué hasta Ether.
Una historia curiosa y bien dibujada que a ratos me recuerda al El Incal. Integral o Metal Hurlant presenta: Alef Thau pero con un poco más de "realismo" y humor negro.
Le doy 4 estrellas, ****, porque me supo a poco y algunas veces las elípsis que hace creo que son enormes y juega contigo para llevarte a querer seguir leyendo.
Una historia curiosa y bien dibujada que a ratos me recuerda al El Incal. Integral o Metal Hurlant presenta: Alef Thau pero con un poco más de "realismo" y humor negro.
Le doy 4 estrellas, ****, porque me supo a poco y algunas veces las elípsis que hace creo que son enormes y juega contigo para llevarte a querer seguir leyendo.
April 6, 2019
De los mejores cómics de aventuras/ciencia ficción que he leído. Imaginativo a los niveles de Brandon Graham en Prophet o King City al que le hacen algún guiño gráfico. Desborda energía, cada una de las páginas está a un nivel muy alto. Consigue una cosa complicada, hacer un cómic para todos los públicos que funciona con todos los públicos. Muchísimas ganas de leer más de este universo.
March 18, 2018
Ayer me lo prestaron y hoy lo devuelvo, así ha sido la cosa, la historia me ha encantado pese a que le faltaría un poco más de punch y el dibujo es simplemente fantástico. A ratos me recordó al humor de Chew. Seguiré con la serie sin duda.
August 28, 2017
Wow, this book gets going right out of the gate. I can't wait to see where Kindt takes this story. Great art.
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