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Decorum #1
Decorum #1
There are many assassins in the known universe. This is the story of the most well-mannered one.
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what knife you use.”
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what knife you use.”
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2020
6 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Hickman
1,224 books2,048 followersJonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 12, 2020
A terrible new sci-fi series that looks flashy and cool but is actually deathly dull to read? Sounds like a Jonathan Hickman comic to me! And it is - it’s the most boringest-titled book ever: Decorum!
Superficially sci-fi that is because all Hickman’s done is stick “space” in front of everything. So the story of the first issue is: a space courier is delivering a space package to a space assassin to take out a space mobster in a space nightclub. Beef up the issue with the usual Hickman non sequiturs - in this case a retelling of the Spanish conquistadors encountering the Aztecs only this time the conquistadors are robuts and the Aztecs have ray guns and dinosaurs! - and several pages of meaningless text and logos, and that’s a wrap.
There’s really nothing imaginative about Hickman’s storytelling - everything he’s playing with is all pre-made concepts and ideas. It reads like he’s just dumped out a bunch of words and randomly stuck them together - it’s the laziest form of worldbuilding. When you take away the pretty pitchers and just read Hickman’s prose, it’s instant eye-closing stuff - he’s a rubbish writer. And all this guff to tell the most mundane of stories: a mob hit between paper-thin characters you couldn’t possibly care about!
Mike Huddleston’s art is interesting, swinging from beautifully painted art to spare black and white inks, seemingly randomly, though it does nothing but add to the overall air of confusion - why is the art style so inconsistent? Is it because nothing else interesting is happening on the page?
If you’ve read Hickman before and were wondering whether this is the title where you finally understand why he’s so unfathomably popular, it’s not gonna convince you otherwise. Decorum #1 is incoherent, bad sci-fi sludge that his fans will swear blind is his latest indisputable masterpiece - don’t believe it.
Superficially sci-fi that is because all Hickman’s done is stick “space” in front of everything. So the story of the first issue is: a space courier is delivering a space package to a space assassin to take out a space mobster in a space nightclub. Beef up the issue with the usual Hickman non sequiturs - in this case a retelling of the Spanish conquistadors encountering the Aztecs only this time the conquistadors are robuts and the Aztecs have ray guns and dinosaurs! - and several pages of meaningless text and logos, and that’s a wrap.
There’s really nothing imaginative about Hickman’s storytelling - everything he’s playing with is all pre-made concepts and ideas. It reads like he’s just dumped out a bunch of words and randomly stuck them together - it’s the laziest form of worldbuilding. When you take away the pretty pitchers and just read Hickman’s prose, it’s instant eye-closing stuff - he’s a rubbish writer. And all this guff to tell the most mundane of stories: a mob hit between paper-thin characters you couldn’t possibly care about!
Mike Huddleston’s art is interesting, swinging from beautifully painted art to spare black and white inks, seemingly randomly, though it does nothing but add to the overall air of confusion - why is the art style so inconsistent? Is it because nothing else interesting is happening on the page?
If you’ve read Hickman before and were wondering whether this is the title where you finally understand why he’s so unfathomably popular, it’s not gonna convince you otherwise. Decorum #1 is incoherent, bad sci-fi sludge that his fans will swear blind is his latest indisputable masterpiece - don’t believe it.
April 4, 2020
I utterly LOVED this comic that I purchased on a whim simply for the cover art.
1. The artwork is just gorgeous. It varies throughout the story in style and levels of details. As a data nerd I also really enjoyed the random infographic-esq pages that let the reader infer into the story details of the world.
2. The story features what will potentially be two awesome female leads, the regal assassin and the street smart courier. Not much character development was done but there are enough hints to leave me eager for the next issue.
I only recently got into comics because of my kids and I can see how this may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Decorum is what I’m assuming is a non traditional comic (?) and is an intriguing and beautiful read overall.
1. The artwork is just gorgeous. It varies throughout the story in style and levels of details. As a data nerd I also really enjoyed the random infographic-esq pages that let the reader infer into the story details of the world.
2. The story features what will potentially be two awesome female leads, the regal assassin and the street smart courier. Not much character development was done but there are enough hints to leave me eager for the next issue.
I only recently got into comics because of my kids and I can see how this may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Decorum is what I’m assuming is a non traditional comic (?) and is an intriguing and beautiful read overall.
January 23, 2022
Mindfuck Hickman. No more plz...
March 16, 2020
Decorum #1 is a primer for a new sci-fi universe and really focuses on the details of it’s setting more than anything. The art is a hodge-podge of styles and the story is still in it’s prenatal phase. But I’m willing to stick around and see what the afterbirth tastes like in the follow up issues. 3 1/2 stars.
March 20, 2020
The beginning, while kinda interesting, was just a tad hard to keep up with. Hopefully later down the line that stuff will have meaning. Once we get past all that and get into what is happening now, it actually is pretty decent. I may just check out issue 2.
April 3, 2020
Fanboy here. Hickman, Remender, Lemire the list goes on haha
March 12, 2020
Review to come
April 4, 2020
Hickman is all about the complex series setups. And this one does not disappoint, no idea what’s happening but it seems to be a big deal. Going forward I hope this gets clearer
December 20, 2021
The art alone makes this worth a read. Wow.
April 24, 2022
Imogen Smith-Morley is here to teach you some manners. I strongly suggest you pay attention.
Decorum is set in a world where the system takes advantage of people and leaves them to their own devices to attempt to survive yet knowing they will ultimately fail. A disease has been released and people are forced to make impossible choices. Some have chosen to do this by any means necessary. Such as Neha, a courier making deliveries to pay for time. While others have chosen to do the same with just a little more style, Like, Imogen, a assassin who's big on tone. Watch yours.
What would you do to save someone you loved? There is only one answer...anything.
I'm deliberately being vague because I don't want to spoil the introduction to this story. Hickman is at it again with his mixed-media approach (lots of charts and diagrams). I happen to enjoy when he does this. It breaks the fourth wall and pulls the reader almost ensconcing them in the story. There is a lot going on here, but it will all eventually converge on our two leads. Therefore, don't be distracted by the varied time-lines, the vacillating art-style and the dinosaurs (yes, dinosaurs). The story is the characters. And Imogen and Neha are truly where the action is.
This is for active readers only.
I've read issue 1 & 2.
Decorum is set in a world where the system takes advantage of people and leaves them to their own devices to attempt to survive yet knowing they will ultimately fail. A disease has been released and people are forced to make impossible choices. Some have chosen to do this by any means necessary. Such as Neha, a courier making deliveries to pay for time. While others have chosen to do the same with just a little more style, Like, Imogen, a assassin who's big on tone. Watch yours.
What would you do to save someone you loved? There is only one answer...anything.
I'm deliberately being vague because I don't want to spoil the introduction to this story. Hickman is at it again with his mixed-media approach (lots of charts and diagrams). I happen to enjoy when he does this. It breaks the fourth wall and pulls the reader almost ensconcing them in the story. There is a lot going on here, but it will all eventually converge on our two leads. Therefore, don't be distracted by the varied time-lines, the vacillating art-style and the dinosaurs (yes, dinosaurs). The story is the characters. And Imogen and Neha are truly where the action is.
This is for active readers only.
I've read issue 1 & 2.
March 23, 2020
"DECORUM #1, out this Wednesday from Image Comics, is the start of an all-new series. One as full of assassins as danger and chaos. This is a series to check out if you’ve been seeking something bright yet gritty.
What do you picture, when you think of assassins? Odds are pretty good that whatever you’re picturing, it’s not what you’re about to get in Decorum. This a tale of assassins, yes. In particular, it’s about one assassin.
A rather polite one. So we would strongly urge against breaking any rules or etiquette while she’s around. Unless you’re her target, in which case there’s really no hope for you anyway, so do whatever you feel compelled to do. Because odds are good it’ll be the last thing you do.
Decorum is a brand new series written by Jonathan Hickman. On the visual side of things, you’ll find Mike Huddleston as the artist, and Rus Wooton as the letterer. Together they’ve gone above and beyond in portraying a poised and dangerous assassin."
Check out the rest of my review over at Monkeys Fighting Robots
What do you picture, when you think of assassins? Odds are pretty good that whatever you’re picturing, it’s not what you’re about to get in Decorum. This a tale of assassins, yes. In particular, it’s about one assassin.
A rather polite one. So we would strongly urge against breaking any rules or etiquette while she’s around. Unless you’re her target, in which case there’s really no hope for you anyway, so do whatever you feel compelled to do. Because odds are good it’ll be the last thing you do.
Decorum is a brand new series written by Jonathan Hickman. On the visual side of things, you’ll find Mike Huddleston as the artist, and Rus Wooton as the letterer. Together they’ve gone above and beyond in portraying a poised and dangerous assassin."
Check out the rest of my review over at Monkeys Fighting Robots
August 18, 2020
Maybe a 3.5? Hickman is an odd one. East of West is great, I think, but he's not an author I rush to. Haven't read that much of him, actually, but my comic shop guy loves him and this looked a bit different for JH so thought I'd try him again.
As with Black Monday Murders, it's a joy to look at. Terrific art in several styles/colours, often on a single page. Once the dialogue starts, it's very good, especially the assasin.
Based on this one issue it feels a little looser and entertaining than some of his other work so will carry on with more.
EDIT: Re-read before issue 2. Enjoyed it more than I remember the first time so upping to 4. Funny how rewarding re-reading comics can be...
As with Black Monday Murders, it's a joy to look at. Terrific art in several styles/colours, often on a single page. Once the dialogue starts, it's very good, especially the assasin.
Based on this one issue it feels a little looser and entertaining than some of his other work so will carry on with more.
EDIT: Re-read before issue 2. Enjoyed it more than I remember the first time so upping to 4. Funny how rewarding re-reading comics can be...
May 3, 2020
Brilliant start for a series! It’s like Blade Runner meets Descender. Loaded with metaphor and mystery, this first issue has me HOOKED for what this is all about. It’s issue one so you get a taste of it which makes me excited for the greater substance to follow. Further, the art is just brilliant. Absolutely incredible and unique.
March 14, 2020
Dense and interesting. But at the same time kinda corny.
March 19, 2020
The last few pages were good. Overall it didn't flow well. Too much exposition and filler early on. Not sure I'll continue with this.
January 26, 2021
I'm the occasional comic reader. That's the perspective I'll give. The cover of this Image comic caught my eye. And it's a quality cover. I like the flashy artwork and with comics art really needs to be part of the review as far as I'm concerned. Decorum #1 is setting up the history of containment Preserves/ worlds, some information about survival of such and a bit about the current society. You have to start some place. I like how the comic is sectioned. There are pages with quite a bit of text of explanations/ backstory and diagrams. We learn about a bioengineered virus for dominance and profit has wrecked havoc on the populaces of rogue worlds. Pay the price for the cryogenic storage and treatment of those you love or they will be destroyed. Enters the courier - who is probably getting underpaid for this job - and an assassin who drops the name of the Righteous Guild. I'm not committed yet but I found it interesting. I already own the next few issues so we will see where this goes.
July 14, 2021
4.3 Stars. Entertaining and compelling. I've been getting this series in the floppies and currently have issues 1 through 8, #9 isn't supposed to come until September I think and I believe #9 will be the final issue of the series as well. I just haven't had much reading time, but I finally read #1 and I'm glad I did. It's about everything I've come to expect from Hickman, the start of a good, deep story with interesting characters and artwork. I'm really interested in reading the rest of the series, which is about the highest praise I can give to any book series.
January 1, 2021
Well this was doing the most and not in a good way. The art was absolutely spectacular and this might have been the prettiest comic I have ever read! The ideas on the other hand felt very recycled. I think what confused me the most were the pages that described the sci-fi world or sci-fi terms like cryopods. They didn't add to the story and it was only at the very end that there was any kind of action but by that time it felt too late.
December 7, 2021
Is Hickman back?
Im a fan of anything Hickman, so when I found out he started something outside of X-men, I rannto it. Based on the first issue it seems to be OUT THERE!!! Its alot to take in, but its not a deterrence. Dont get me started on the dialog, at times Im like "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING CHARACTER!!??" but I enjoyed the dystopia of the future in the beginning and how things wrapped up, so Im going to keep reading
Im a fan of anything Hickman, so when I found out he started something outside of X-men, I rannto it. Based on the first issue it seems to be OUT THERE!!! Its alot to take in, but its not a deterrence. Dont get me started on the dialog, at times Im like "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING CHARACTER!!??" but I enjoyed the dystopia of the future in the beginning and how things wrapped up, so Im going to keep reading
March 13, 2020
This pains me: but if I were to give this a 3/5 I’d be lying.
I feel like Hickman is one of those authors who’s work you can only read as a collective. Individual issue just don’t do him justice - that simply isn’t how he thinks.
That said, this book was classic Hickman. I got heavy vibes of The Nightly News and the Art is incredibly esoteric. I’m here for the long run - I’m sorry Jon!!!
I feel like Hickman is one of those authors who’s work you can only read as a collective. Individual issue just don’t do him justice - that simply isn’t how he thinks.
That said, this book was classic Hickman. I got heavy vibes of The Nightly News and the Art is incredibly esoteric. I’m here for the long run - I’m sorry Jon!!!
July 25, 2020
This is a hard comic to get into. The artwork is the only saving grace of this comic. The plot is all over the place. This not helped that there's the obvious borrowing from The Mandalorian and Kingsman.
January 27, 2021
Fascinating science fiction and stunning art immediately won my heart in this series! The world-building is on the scale of Dune, with immense interplanetary Unions and a creepy conquering Church. I can't wait to read more.
March 5, 2025
Decorum #1, Jonathan Hickman, Mike Huddleston
A young courier just trying to make her way through life. A calculated assassin with fanatical allegiance to her religious crime syndicate. This story could go anywhere... ***
A young courier just trying to make her way through life. A calculated assassin with fanatical allegiance to her religious crime syndicate. This story could go anywhere... ***
March 15, 2020
In standard Hickman style, it was really hard to follow at first and definitely is setting up a lot, but the second half was much easier to grasp and the art is pretty bitchin in my opinion.
March 16, 2020
Great art and worldbuilding... it's too soon to make out the story yet... definitly a must read.
March 19, 2020
Nice start. Interested to see where this goes. Hopefully Hickman doesn't disappoint.
June 18, 2020
Beautiful story line and the art is just amazing.
September 20, 2020
Great Premiere for a SF comic. Hope is can maintain
December 31, 2020
This is the most Jonathan Hickman-y thing ever
January 18, 2021
the art brought it to a 3
not sure if I will continue with the next
not sure if I will continue with the next
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews