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Brink
Brink: Book Three
Humanity is on the brink in the thrilling conclusion to the smash-hit epic space-noir from duo Dan Abnett and INJ Culbard.
OVER THE BRINK
Inspector Bridget Curtis is drawn deeper into a disturbing plot that runs from the drug-fuelled sects of the Habitats, to the upper echelons of Junot Corp. Strange things are happening, but is the conspiracy real, or is life in space beginning to affect her sanity? The reality of sinister Space Gods aside, the fate of the human race may be at stake!
OVER THE BRINK
Inspector Bridget Curtis is drawn deeper into a disturbing plot that runs from the drug-fuelled sects of the Habitats, to the upper echelons of Junot Corp. Strange things are happening, but is the conspiracy real, or is life in space beginning to affect her sanity? The reality of sinister Space Gods aside, the fate of the human race may be at stake!
112 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 1, 2022
Brink is one of the most exciting and visually satisfying new series to come out of 2000AD, with creators Dan Abnett and INJ Culbard cultivating a tense, claustrophobic police-procedural thriller that deals with the psychological ramifications of a post-Earth humanity living in cramped confines as they drift aimlessly through deep space in giant habitats. Told from the perspective of undercover detective, Bridget Kurtis, Brink explores cult conspiracies and a shared psychosis that foretells apocalyptic scenarios featuring Lovecraftian space-gods. The extent of these “Sect Crimes” has infiltrated all levels of the Junot Corporation, one of the companies responsible for the creation of new habitats, and Kurtis is sent in deep-cover to find out the extent of the madness.
“High Society” introduces another new location for readers, as Kurtis finds herself working as a maid within Junot headquarters, working behind-the-scenes in “smallspace” to clear the corporate meeting rooms (“bigspace”) from any listening devices. This new locale allows Culbard to demonstrate his flair for storytelling, creating panel layouts that emphasise the difference between the narrow walls of the smallspace, and the wide-open spaces of the bigspace meeting rooms. It’s an effective technique, using differently shaped panels to convey a sense of space, and it heightens the cinematic tone of the series. Culbard’s artwork has been consistently amazing in this series, but it hits new heights in this volume with the actual construction of each page contributing to the atmosphere. I have been a fan of Culbard’s world-building since his work on Brass Sun (another fantastic new series from 2000AD, which deserves wider recognition) and he never fails to create captivating environments that draw the reader in.
As with previous volumes of Brink, there is a slow, measured pace to the story which works better in this collected form as opposed to the serialized weekly Progs that the series originate from. Read in one sitting, the story flows much better as the tension begins to ramp up towards the inevitable, chaotic conclusion. While Kurtis was undercover in the last volume, “Skeleton Life”, there seems to be a greater sense of danger as she places herself deep within the viper’s nest, infiltrating Junot Corp’s highest level in an attempt to discover more about the Master Sect’s attempts to turn Galina Habitat into a site for mass human sacrifice. Abnett’s script is thrilling throughout, turning conversational scenes into nail-biting reads as Kurtis attempts to maintain her cover throughout her explorations. The sense of danger is palpable throughout, thanks to Abnett’s script and Culbard’s artwork working seamlessly together to produce the desired effect. The pair appear to have a symbiotic relationship that just demonstrates the wonder of the collaborative process between writer and artist to produce “a whole”.
Up until now, Brink has remained ambiguous as to whether the Sects’ religious beliefs are fuelled by a collective insanity or genuinely influenced by angry Space Gods. Abnett gives readers the first hint of an answer in this volume, and while it may not prove to be definitive, it is certainly a surprising direction for the story to take. It also gives the series some forward-momentum to offset the slow-paced narrative. Abnett’s revelation revisits plot points from the conclusion of the first volume, demonstrating a larger plan and road map for the series by picking up on seeds that were planted way back when. Again, reading the series in graphic novel format helps the narrative flow and makes each instalment feel like a chapter in a bigger book. Three volumes in, and it seems like Brink is heading towards a conclusion with its upcoming fourth volume, although Abnett has not been shy in subverting audience expectations so far.
“High Society” builds upon the previous instalments of Brink to deliver an extremely satisfying third chapter, taking the aspects which made the series popular and raising them up to the next level. The story is complex and mature, and is not the sort of series you can dip in and out of – it feels reminiscent of a binge-worthy Netflix show, rewarding readers for devouring the whole series with a smart, uncompromising narrative. INJ Culbard’s vision of the habitats is breath-taking, and worth the price of entry alone, as he creates some of the most iconic locales seen in 2000AD since The Ballad of Halo Jones. In fact, I would argue that Brink will go down as Abnett and Culbard’s magnum opus, in the same way that The Ballad of Halo Jones is widely considered as Alan Moore’s best 2000AD work. Everything about Brink works, and while it doesn’t have the same high-octane action as other 2000AD strips, it is a cerebral thriller that stands out from the crowd with its neon visuals and stylish storytelling.
Nothing short of incredible, this third volume of Brink achieves the impossible and raises the bar even further with a pulse-pounding story that entertains and excites in equal measure. Fresh and unique, Brink feels completely different to anything that 2000AD has published before, both in terms of its subject matter and its futuristic design, which gives the series a European feel.
“High Society” introduces another new location for readers, as Kurtis finds herself working as a maid within Junot headquarters, working behind-the-scenes in “smallspace” to clear the corporate meeting rooms (“bigspace”) from any listening devices. This new locale allows Culbard to demonstrate his flair for storytelling, creating panel layouts that emphasise the difference between the narrow walls of the smallspace, and the wide-open spaces of the bigspace meeting rooms. It’s an effective technique, using differently shaped panels to convey a sense of space, and it heightens the cinematic tone of the series. Culbard’s artwork has been consistently amazing in this series, but it hits new heights in this volume with the actual construction of each page contributing to the atmosphere. I have been a fan of Culbard’s world-building since his work on Brass Sun (another fantastic new series from 2000AD, which deserves wider recognition) and he never fails to create captivating environments that draw the reader in.
As with previous volumes of Brink, there is a slow, measured pace to the story which works better in this collected form as opposed to the serialized weekly Progs that the series originate from. Read in one sitting, the story flows much better as the tension begins to ramp up towards the inevitable, chaotic conclusion. While Kurtis was undercover in the last volume, “Skeleton Life”, there seems to be a greater sense of danger as she places herself deep within the viper’s nest, infiltrating Junot Corp’s highest level in an attempt to discover more about the Master Sect’s attempts to turn Galina Habitat into a site for mass human sacrifice. Abnett’s script is thrilling throughout, turning conversational scenes into nail-biting reads as Kurtis attempts to maintain her cover throughout her explorations. The sense of danger is palpable throughout, thanks to Abnett’s script and Culbard’s artwork working seamlessly together to produce the desired effect. The pair appear to have a symbiotic relationship that just demonstrates the wonder of the collaborative process between writer and artist to produce “a whole”.
Up until now, Brink has remained ambiguous as to whether the Sects’ religious beliefs are fuelled by a collective insanity or genuinely influenced by angry Space Gods. Abnett gives readers the first hint of an answer in this volume, and while it may not prove to be definitive, it is certainly a surprising direction for the story to take. It also gives the series some forward-momentum to offset the slow-paced narrative. Abnett’s revelation revisits plot points from the conclusion of the first volume, demonstrating a larger plan and road map for the series by picking up on seeds that were planted way back when. Again, reading the series in graphic novel format helps the narrative flow and makes each instalment feel like a chapter in a bigger book. Three volumes in, and it seems like Brink is heading towards a conclusion with its upcoming fourth volume, although Abnett has not been shy in subverting audience expectations so far.
“High Society” builds upon the previous instalments of Brink to deliver an extremely satisfying third chapter, taking the aspects which made the series popular and raising them up to the next level. The story is complex and mature, and is not the sort of series you can dip in and out of – it feels reminiscent of a binge-worthy Netflix show, rewarding readers for devouring the whole series with a smart, uncompromising narrative. INJ Culbard’s vision of the habitats is breath-taking, and worth the price of entry alone, as he creates some of the most iconic locales seen in 2000AD since The Ballad of Halo Jones. In fact, I would argue that Brink will go down as Abnett and Culbard’s magnum opus, in the same way that The Ballad of Halo Jones is widely considered as Alan Moore’s best 2000AD work. Everything about Brink works, and while it doesn’t have the same high-octane action as other 2000AD strips, it is a cerebral thriller that stands out from the crowd with its neon visuals and stylish storytelling.
Nothing short of incredible, this third volume of Brink achieves the impossible and raises the bar even further with a pulse-pounding story that entertains and excites in equal measure. Fresh and unique, Brink feels completely different to anything that 2000AD has published before, both in terms of its subject matter and its futuristic design, which gives the series a European feel.
May 19, 2025
The plot starts going cuckoo bananas and stars a truly creepy HR managers. Easily my favourite in the series so far.
July 17, 2020
Really sucked into this series. Love Culbard’s style. It lends an air of unease to everything. The conspiracy and threats are huge and Kurtis is a great focus character for this world.
Can’t wait for them to make a fourth volume.
Can’t wait for them to make a fourth volume.
October 20, 2019
If you've been following the series 'till this point, you might think that you know what to expect.
Fools. Abnett takes us to somewhere new, still riding with Bridget Kurtis. This time, we're deep undercover in the Junot household following the previous habitat problems. Abnett and Culbard create the equivalent of Downton Abbey, with the family as business persons and the domestic staff restricted to the equivalent of the spaces between the walls. It's deftly and expertly done and we really feel squeezed into the cracks of corporate culture.
Kurtis isn't alone tho', there's a shadow network of HSD agents working in Junot's corporate space - but Junot isn't what it appears to be. It has it's own shadow network of agents, watching the watchers.
The mysterious cults that have been paralleling along with us appear to have deep hooks in Juno and Kurtis plays along, seeking to get real knowledge of the details of what's going on. Abnett teases us with details, plays with us, as we see Kurtis unable to avoid the fates that the general populace are subjected to.
There's a finale that leaves us desperate to get to the next circle of detail. Brink is genuinely a masterwork that should be celebrated and needs wider celebration outside the 2000AD circle that spawned it.
Fools. Abnett takes us to somewhere new, still riding with Bridget Kurtis. This time, we're deep undercover in the Junot household following the previous habitat problems. Abnett and Culbard create the equivalent of Downton Abbey, with the family as business persons and the domestic staff restricted to the equivalent of the spaces between the walls. It's deftly and expertly done and we really feel squeezed into the cracks of corporate culture.
Kurtis isn't alone tho', there's a shadow network of HSD agents working in Junot's corporate space - but Junot isn't what it appears to be. It has it's own shadow network of agents, watching the watchers.
The mysterious cults that have been paralleling along with us appear to have deep hooks in Juno and Kurtis plays along, seeking to get real knowledge of the details of what's going on. Abnett teases us with details, plays with us, as we see Kurtis unable to avoid the fates that the general populace are subjected to.
There's a finale that leaves us desperate to get to the next circle of detail. Brink is genuinely a masterwork that should be celebrated and needs wider celebration outside the 2000AD circle that spawned it.
February 16, 2025
This has great characters and a plot that now firmly belongs in the astrobiological science fiction category.
To get the most out of this you really need to read the preceding two volumes and following ones (how many I can't tell how many yet).
I am loving this, both the writing and the art. If I had one minor complaint it would be that the lettering is so small that it makes it hard to read at times.
If you don't have an open mind and only like realistic, literal fiction then you may opt to bypass this tale. For everyone else I cannot recommend this highly enough.
To get the most out of this you really need to read the preceding two volumes and following ones (how many I can't tell how many yet).
I am loving this, both the writing and the art. If I had one minor complaint it would be that the lettering is so small that it makes it hard to read at times.
If you don't have an open mind and only like realistic, literal fiction then you may opt to bypass this tale. For everyone else I cannot recommend this highly enough.
December 7, 2023
If you’ve enjoyed Abnett’s 40k work, especially the *weirdest* stuff about Chaos, you will absolutely *love* this.
It’s bleak as *fuck* - set around 2100, in various space habitats after the Earth has been made uninhabitable - but it’s something that *runs* with that bleakness; almost like a companion piece to Ursula Le Guin’s short story “Newton’s Sleep”.
Highly recommended.
It’s bleak as *fuck* - set around 2100, in various space habitats after the Earth has been made uninhabitable - but it’s something that *runs* with that bleakness; almost like a companion piece to Ursula Le Guin’s short story “Newton’s Sleep”.
Highly recommended.
July 25, 2024
While the solar system shakes in the background, Kurtis goes undecover at the secretive Corp who tried to make something truly weird and terrble out of the habitat from Book Two. Truly terrible and weird things are happening right at the top, and the disappearance of Mercury is directly connected.
July 18, 2021
Recent Reads: Brink Vol 3. Dan Abnett and INJ Culbard continue their SF noir, as Bridget Curtis goes deeper undercover inside the corps that run the humanity's last hope. What are the sects really worshipping, and how high does their conspiracy go? It's a hard road to follow.
February 7, 2024
A return to form after the slightly slower book two. Change of scene and some new interesting characters freshen things up. Bridget continues to be a great lead and the mystery gets deeper. The artwork is fantastic throughout, especially when things get freaky.
June 26, 2021
The story of the cult seems to be over but, of course, a cliffhanger follows. Looks like Space Cthulhu has risen, after all.
November 29, 2021
Very much the same as the previous editions of Brink but also very much different ride. But still: Very brilliant. Abnett is the best.
December 27, 2024
Continues to be an excellent thriller...
February 14, 2025
No spoilers, but the conclusion is quite thought provoking. Thoroughly enjoyed the journey of the three book arc.
June 6, 2025
I love how weird its getting. Some very creative Sci-fi ideas.
Read
February 21, 2019More and ever stranger developments as humanity fails to cope with its self-wrought exile from a ruined Earth. I was particularly impressed by the intriguing new suggestions as to what might be causing people to go batshit, beyond the obvious 'doomed remnants of humanity living in tin cans' bit. Because for most series like this, Lovecraftian demon gods in space would have been the big reveal; Brink has already played that card, and has something far more novel up its sleeve. But first, an undercover investigation of one of the richest families in orbit, with luxuries unimaginable to the poor (for one thing - space!) and tensions accordingly high to match.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews