What do you think?
Rate this book
Ether #1-3
Ether
From New York Times bestselling Mind MGMT creator MATT KINDT and Black Hammer 's DAVID RUBÍN comes an interdimensional, genre-bending, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery adventure!
Interdimensional explorer Boone Dias, a brilliant scientist from Earth, enters the magical world of Ether and stumbles onto a great responsibility that takes him through the center of volcanoes, deserts full of living mummies and sphinxes, and a bizarre fairy forest--all leading toward a final climactic battle for the fate of both worlds.
Collecting every issue of Ether in deluxe, oversized hardcover edition, along with every cover and all published bonus content.
Collects Ether I #1-#5, Ether II #1-#5, and Ether III #1-#5.
Interdimensional explorer Boone Dias, a brilliant scientist from Earth, enters the magical world of Ether and stumbles onto a great responsibility that takes him through the center of volcanoes, deserts full of living mummies and sphinxes, and a bizarre fairy forest--all leading toward a final climactic battle for the fate of both worlds.
Collecting every issue of Ether in deluxe, oversized hardcover edition, along with every cover and all published bonus content.
Collects Ether I #1-#5, Ether II #1-#5, and Ether III #1-#5.
440 pages, Hardcover
Published May 18, 2021
8 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 31, 2021
So this is my first Matt Kindt book that I’ve read and it was definitely a very good introduction! This is also the first library edition/oversized hardcover that I’ve read and it was the right book to have in this edition as the artwork is stunning, especially in this size.
The story is about Boone Dias, a scientist in the world of the ether that is magical not logical- but not to Boone. I loved that contrast of Boone in this world and as a character the journey he went through was great to see. All of the other characters were all likeable too (apart from Ubel, of course) and really added to the depth of this world the ether which in itself was seemingly vast and interesting and I would’ve loved to find out more about this alternate world.
Overall this is one of my favourite stories I’ve read, it was just so enjoyable to read and had me fully invested. Couldn’t recommend this more!
The story is about Boone Dias, a scientist in the world of the ether that is magical not logical- but not to Boone. I loved that contrast of Boone in this world and as a character the journey he went through was great to see. All of the other characters were all likeable too (apart from Ubel, of course) and really added to the depth of this world the ether which in itself was seemingly vast and interesting and I would’ve loved to find out more about this alternate world.
Overall this is one of my favourite stories I’ve read, it was just so enjoyable to read and had me fully invested. Couldn’t recommend this more!
September 7, 2022
The only redeemable thing about this was the art. Everything else was meh to the nth level: the story was unoriginal and hard to follow at times, and the organization of the panels was just so jarring. It's a waste cuz the premise of this whole comic had potential!
April 13, 2022
MATT KINDT AND DAVID RUBIN MAKE A SCI-FI/FANTASY MASTERPIECE AND MORE PEOPLE NEED TO READ IT!!!
Previous to this read, I had never heard of this series, Matt Kindt, or David Rubin. I had found out about Kindt through his partnered work with Keanu Reeves on 'BRZRKR', but besides that--zilch. Thank God as I was scrolling Tik-Tok I saw someone showing off this library edition and I instantly looked it up and purchased it. ONE OF MY BEST PICK UPS OF THE YEAR!!
The story follows Boone Dias a scientist who is apart of a team that has discovered a portal to another realm. A portal to the ETHER. The only twist is, in order to successfully enter this portal you must be dying or fully willing to die. Ready to let go of EVERYTHING. The ETHER is a magical place full of wonder and larger than any world we've ever seen. But Boone Dias still believes that science is the answer to it all. In a way he's right, so he goes back to the ETHER focused, not in awe or enthralled by what it is. There are questions to be answered. He also meets the people and creatures of this world and in a way becomes almost a detective for the Mayor of the Capitol of the ETHER. Boone is a tragic character, he is almost addicted to the ETHER as we see him abandon his life on Earth and leave his loved ones behind in order to continue his research. He only comes back Earth to eat as he can't consume food in the ETHER. It almost feels as if as the story goes on he is becoming more insane but there's a lot more to it.
Honestly this is one of the best reads for me this year. Matt Kindt and David Rubin create such an expanding world that even when we are given a TON of it, you leave wanting MORE. It's a creative world that feels larger than the pages its on. Riveting in every single sense! The accompanied cast on this was phenomenal! Everyone is likable and fun, with interesting backgrounds to give them their own uniqueness. The bad guys are badass and spiteful, making themselves a true challenge to our heroes. Matt Kindt just GETS chemistry! It's part of the reason the book moves so nicely. The read takes its time but also shows you ALOT. Not in an overwhelming way, but in a way where you're learning and investing properly into this world. It's a story that reminds me of 'Adventure Time'. Such a vast world with so many different things going on but it all makes sense. That is the ETHER. It is so much and it can be fun and silly, serious and dark, but no matter what it is, the ETHER is in a constant motion and the more you read it the more you can understand it. Plain and simple, the world that Matt Kindt writes is so extensive that it feels just right. If you want it to make more sense than just read the damn book!
Now with all that, you cannot and I repeat, CANNOT; have this world without David Rubin's artwork. A MASTER, A GENIUS, A VISIONARY, AN ARTIST!!! I've mentioned before that I had never heard of him or seen any of his work and shame on anyone who knew about this man and didn't tell me! I mentioned that I saw this book in a Tik-Tok and I almost right away exited the app and logged into eBay to purchase a copy. That is all because of Rubin's artwork. You can't talk about how amazing the world building is in this book without talking about the artwork from Rubin. He does everything from the pencils, to the inking, coloring, and even the lettering. And he does all of those perfectly ! Some of the most beautiful panel layouts you'll see in comic books and some of the most ambitious in the art form today! The story telling in his artwork alone is enough to make this story great and it's something that I feel like not many other artist can touch today. It makes the library edition the only true way to read it. Truly this is an ambitious piece of work and I am so happy I was able to lay my eyes upon it.
In conclusion, if you find yourself itching for a funny, entertaining, enthralling, heartwarming, and enthusiastic story that mixes SCI-FI and fantasy in one of the best ways, go and find this book. PLEASE .
Previous to this read, I had never heard of this series, Matt Kindt, or David Rubin. I had found out about Kindt through his partnered work with Keanu Reeves on 'BRZRKR', but besides that--zilch. Thank God as I was scrolling Tik-Tok I saw someone showing off this library edition and I instantly looked it up and purchased it. ONE OF MY BEST PICK UPS OF THE YEAR!!
The story follows Boone Dias a scientist who is apart of a team that has discovered a portal to another realm. A portal to the ETHER. The only twist is, in order to successfully enter this portal you must be dying or fully willing to die. Ready to let go of EVERYTHING. The ETHER is a magical place full of wonder and larger than any world we've ever seen. But Boone Dias still believes that science is the answer to it all. In a way he's right, so he goes back to the ETHER focused, not in awe or enthralled by what it is. There are questions to be answered. He also meets the people and creatures of this world and in a way becomes almost a detective for the Mayor of the Capitol of the ETHER. Boone is a tragic character, he is almost addicted to the ETHER as we see him abandon his life on Earth and leave his loved ones behind in order to continue his research. He only comes back Earth to eat as he can't consume food in the ETHER. It almost feels as if as the story goes on he is becoming more insane but there's a lot more to it.
Honestly this is one of the best reads for me this year. Matt Kindt and David Rubin create such an expanding world that even when we are given a TON of it, you leave wanting MORE. It's a creative world that feels larger than the pages its on. Riveting in every single sense! The accompanied cast on this was phenomenal! Everyone is likable and fun, with interesting backgrounds to give them their own uniqueness. The bad guys are badass and spiteful, making themselves a true challenge to our heroes. Matt Kindt just GETS chemistry! It's part of the reason the book moves so nicely. The read takes its time but also shows you ALOT. Not in an overwhelming way, but in a way where you're learning and investing properly into this world. It's a story that reminds me of 'Adventure Time'. Such a vast world with so many different things going on but it all makes sense. That is the ETHER. It is so much and it can be fun and silly, serious and dark, but no matter what it is, the ETHER is in a constant motion and the more you read it the more you can understand it. Plain and simple, the world that Matt Kindt writes is so extensive that it feels just right. If you want it to make more sense than just read the damn book!
Now with all that, you cannot and I repeat, CANNOT; have this world without David Rubin's artwork. A MASTER, A GENIUS, A VISIONARY, AN ARTIST!!! I've mentioned before that I had never heard of him or seen any of his work and shame on anyone who knew about this man and didn't tell me! I mentioned that I saw this book in a Tik-Tok and I almost right away exited the app and logged into eBay to purchase a copy. That is all because of Rubin's artwork. You can't talk about how amazing the world building is in this book without talking about the artwork from Rubin. He does everything from the pencils, to the inking, coloring, and even the lettering. And he does all of those perfectly ! Some of the most beautiful panel layouts you'll see in comic books and some of the most ambitious in the art form today! The story telling in his artwork alone is enough to make this story great and it's something that I feel like not many other artist can touch today. It makes the library edition the only true way to read it. Truly this is an ambitious piece of work and I am so happy I was able to lay my eyes upon it.
In conclusion, if you find yourself itching for a funny, entertaining, enthralling, heartwarming, and enthusiastic story that mixes SCI-FI and fantasy in one of the best ways, go and find this book. PLEASE .
August 26, 2022
Incredible art, bombastic creativity, cool premise.
But the story was a bit of a letdown.
I love the idea of a scientist bringing the rigorous method to a magical world to solve problems. But this isn't like HPMoR or something; there's nothing to actually GET here. It's just big words and gibberish. Boone's scientific insights are as magical as the setting, and so the reader derives no satisfaction from them.
The story is scattered, moving between setpieces that are stunningly inspired with plot machinations that I didn't care much about. I liked the character of Boone although he irritated perhaps even more than the authors' intended. But to me, the aesthetic was the highlight. I wish there was a little more substance here.
5/10
But the story was a bit of a letdown.
I love the idea of a scientist bringing the rigorous method to a magical world to solve problems. But this isn't like HPMoR or something; there's nothing to actually GET here. It's just big words and gibberish. Boone's scientific insights are as magical as the setting, and so the reader derives no satisfaction from them.
The story is scattered, moving between setpieces that are stunningly inspired with plot machinations that I didn't care much about. I liked the character of Boone although he irritated perhaps even more than the authors' intended. But to me, the aesthetic was the highlight. I wish there was a little more substance here.
5/10
August 7, 2022
IF THIS IS ALL THERE IS, IM SO MAD.
December 24, 2021
Love the world building and the art. The story itself is pretty simple, like a generic rpg quest. Could’ve been so much more.
February 16, 2021
Matt Kindt really likes to go into the very essence of ideas.
It's a concept that a few writers pick up on. People want to get into it so much they'd want to check out how and why it all works. I mean play Zelda: Breath of the Wild or read articles on TV Tropes and you'll experience the sensation.
What I really like about Ether is how Kindt and his creative team comment about how absorbed people get into it all. Spend so much time in like Boone and you'll lose all sense of time and everything in it. Which is why the relationship between Boone and series antagonist Ubel is so dynamic.
Ubel is villainous because he is in several ways a gatekeeper. Gatekeepers feel like they own what knowledge they hoard. While Boone always seems to think he's in control of situations, his failure to let other people take the lead have disastrous consequences. Instead of taking advice from others or expressing faith in them through actions, he sees himself as the one to keep things running. It's that kind of hubris that leads to people becoming disillusioned with something of beauty.
Then there's Ubel whose knowledge and control of information gives him a strong sense of entitlement. He doesn't care about the morals as long he gets the power that comes from hoarding everything. It's what makes him the best antagonist to Boone and everyone in the whole, there is no rationalizing with everyone because Ubel doesn't mind keeping things stagnant, he just wants to be extraordinary by enforcing his vision of the Ether even at the cost of everyone and everything.
I relate to this because I actually encountered someone like this in a fandom database. He wasn't a sociopath, but he was very entitled to the point of blacklisting people. The worst part was everybody had faith in him simply because they believed he was doing it for the right reasons. But does mocking people for wanting to be a part of something they aren't confident in expressing openly in public and being excluded for having out-of-the-box ideas supposed to be quality control? And if people in these small communities enable this kind of behavior, doesn't that mean they're accomplices? I got disillusioned and saw the subjects of what I liked for their flaws. Sorry for ranting, but it's something that's very personal.
On the meta, I can even see this tying into Kindt's other series in Dark Horse like Bang! Collective unconscious and ideas being the main subject. I know I'm ready to jump at anything with Kindt's name on it.
It's a concept that a few writers pick up on. People want to get into it so much they'd want to check out how and why it all works. I mean play Zelda: Breath of the Wild or read articles on TV Tropes and you'll experience the sensation.
What I really like about Ether is how Kindt and his creative team comment about how absorbed people get into it all. Spend so much time in like Boone and you'll lose all sense of time and everything in it. Which is why the relationship between Boone and series antagonist Ubel is so dynamic.
Ubel is villainous because he is in several ways a gatekeeper. Gatekeepers feel like they own what knowledge they hoard. While Boone always seems to think he's in control of situations, his failure to let other people take the lead have disastrous consequences. Instead of taking advice from others or expressing faith in them through actions, he sees himself as the one to keep things running. It's that kind of hubris that leads to people becoming disillusioned with something of beauty.
Then there's Ubel whose knowledge and control of information gives him a strong sense of entitlement. He doesn't care about the morals as long he gets the power that comes from hoarding everything. It's what makes him the best antagonist to Boone and everyone in the whole, there is no rationalizing with everyone because Ubel doesn't mind keeping things stagnant, he just wants to be extraordinary by enforcing his vision of the Ether even at the cost of everyone and everything.
I relate to this because I actually encountered someone like this in a fandom database. He wasn't a sociopath, but he was very entitled to the point of blacklisting people. The worst part was everybody had faith in him simply because they believed he was doing it for the right reasons. But does mocking people for wanting to be a part of something they aren't confident in expressing openly in public and being excluded for having out-of-the-box ideas supposed to be quality control? And if people in these small communities enable this kind of behavior, doesn't that mean they're accomplices? I got disillusioned and saw the subjects of what I liked for their flaws. Sorry for ranting, but it's something that's very personal.
On the meta, I can even see this tying into Kindt's other series in Dark Horse like Bang! Collective unconscious and ideas being the main subject. I know I'm ready to jump at anything with Kindt's name on it.
January 5, 2025
The first thing that lured me to this graphic novel, was the graphical work itself. A drawing style that I haven’t seen before and the use of colour contrast that brings it all to its rights. Every page had it’s own artwork and colour schemes, so it looked like every other page was a stand alone work in that sense. There was a lot of creative experimenting with the text which only benefited the graphical work. The story focusses on sacrifice, dedication, loss but you have to have an open mind to the entire world that was created in this novel.
October 21, 2023
Not usually a fan of comics but this one has both good writing and art
April 30, 2022
So this was weird. You've got a parallel universe kind of thing going on, with Ether being a world made from the imaginings of humans - folk tales, myths, stories handed down, books, media, what-have-you. A brilliant but kinda obnoxious scientist guy who's an agent for some government investigative agency, Boone Dias, finds a portal into Ether and basically spends his life traveling back and forth between the two worlds, becoming quite frankly obsessed with the place to the point where everything else in his life gets kicked to the curb, including his family. Ether is a wacky place (as one might guess), filled with magic that Boone is quick to dismiss with scientific explanations; I don't disapprove of this, the explanations often seemed as magical to me as just accepting everything as magic, and I found it amusing! Boone and his friends - Glum the Gatekeeper, Violet Bell the fairy, and a bull-headed spell hacker whose name I sadly can't remember - solve a murder mystery, find Violet when she disappears, and work to close portals to Earth from Ether that could destroy both worlds if left open. The world-building is great, Ether is a fun and kinda frightening place that juxtaposes nicely with the fun and kinda frightening Earth, and good heavens, y'all, David Rubin's art is just fabulous and perfect for the story, the colors, the detail, the freakin' everything! The characters are well fleshed-out, and Boone, for all his annoying know-it-all foolhardiness, does get some needed growth. The story has some pulpy-ness to it, and mixes character and plot-driven story pretty well. The story is fairly evenly paced, though the middle story about Violet's disappearance lags a bit, and the end could've been, I don't know, a bit more dynamic I guess, it was kinda anticlimactic. I had fun reading this, and would recommend it when you're in the mood for some weird, wild adventure.
July 10, 2023
Ether by Matt Kindt and David Rubín.
Published by Dark Horse in a beautifull library edition.
I think Matt Kindt is a bit underated, he reminds me alot of Jeff Lemire in the way he works and the kind of work he has done. Ether is a beautifull bright and colorfull book, its alot to process here, its not the most tight script, but makes up alot of its heartfelt story. Its an adventure fantasy with Sci-fi elements and one of the most outgoing looking books out there. The art from Rubín is brilliant. And his usage of panels is a sight to see. This was not a brilliant read, but a real fun one.
3.5 stars
Published by Dark Horse in a beautifull library edition.
I think Matt Kindt is a bit underated, he reminds me alot of Jeff Lemire in the way he works and the kind of work he has done. Ether is a beautifull bright and colorfull book, its alot to process here, its not the most tight script, but makes up alot of its heartfelt story. Its an adventure fantasy with Sci-fi elements and one of the most outgoing looking books out there. The art from Rubín is brilliant. And his usage of panels is a sight to see. This was not a brilliant read, but a real fun one.
3.5 stars
May 7, 2022
One of the things that impressed me most about ETHER was how it shows off Kindt’s incredible range. I’d gotten used to thinking of him as the espionage/conspiracy guy, and then he drops an ADVENTURE TIME/SHERLOCK HOLMES mashup.
Speaking of range, I’m such a fan of David Rubín’s art from BLACK HAMMER, and his line and color work here is every bit as gorgeous, in a completely different way. The partnership between the two of them brings out the best in each. Loved this book.
Speaking of range, I’m such a fan of David Rubín’s art from BLACK HAMMER, and his line and color work here is every bit as gorgeous, in a completely different way. The partnership between the two of them brings out the best in each. Loved this book.
May 2, 2023
A book with amazingly fun, colorful art and creative panel layouts that is brought down by it's obtuse narrative. The boilerplate "shitty man/father/husband that is too obsessed with his craft and ignores his deteriorating relationships" worked pretty fine for the first arc, but got tiresome going into the second and third acts. And then it ends with typical male-martyr-bullshit, he dies never having to act on the lessons he learned, whoo!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2023
A beautiful and poignant meditation on losing oneself to the work, to what we call the “sacrifice” of work, and in that pursuit we lose time with the people who love us, and Boone captures that so well, even sadly. He is the essence of those who put their work, whatever that is, over relationships. The Art by David Rubin is transcendent, and when it needs to be, it’s haunting.
I’ve heard this compared to Adventure Time, and it’s a lot like that. It’s beautiful and poignant.
I’ve heard this compared to Adventure Time, and it’s a lot like that. It’s beautiful and poignant.
February 21, 2025
Starts off promising with a pretty good first volume. An interesting premise, a fairly entertaining story, meaningful characters and relationships.
Then comes androgynous faeries, “gender nonconfirming witch” and “racist witch” etc.
The strong female warriors protecting the realm wasn’t signaling enough virtue for Matt. Stopped reading about halfway
Then comes androgynous faeries, “gender nonconfirming witch” and “racist witch” etc.
The strong female warriors protecting the realm wasn’t signaling enough virtue for Matt. Stopped reading about halfway
September 22, 2021
First arc was great, but second two definitely dropped off and wrapped up with a lackluster ending. Still, thinking I may read it one more time. Dave Rubin's art, inks, colors, lettering, and panel layout make this a true joy to look at.
May 18, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous. Pulp SciFi/fantasy adventure re-envisioned for the now. Alan Moore mixed with Wes Anderson slathered in Mike Mignola with a sprinkle of Terry Gilliam on top?
February 7, 2022
Great library find. Ready to read Mind MGMT then play the boardgame.
July 29, 2022
3 1/2 stars. The ending feels a bit rushed, but still a good time.
January 22, 2023
A fantastic scientist clashes with a fantasy realm. The world is layer upon layer of human imagination and an evil force seeks to infiltrate the "real" world through tears in the fabric of reality. The art is vibrant, the world building intriguing but the narrative is flat and monotone.
February 11, 2023
DNF - 1/4 through but it wound up not keeping my attention.
April 9, 2023
Excellent fantasy/sci-fi. A detailed, layered story, both visually and scripturally. From what I’ve read of him so far, Matt Kindt can do little to no wrong.
May 7, 2023
Good story, but the ending was a bit quick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
Interesting world premise and creation but the story was too simple and light for me. Graphics absolutely gorgeous.
September 18, 2024
This is one of the comics the more I think about, the darker it gets. It's really about addiction, abandonment, selfishness, ego, sick imagination. I choose to believe so. If you read it literally as a fantasy/sci-fi book, it's pretty underdeveloped. But if you choose to see it as some kind of rationalisation for neglecting/abandoning your family, read too much into it, it's pretty bleak. And this is the feeling I got throughout the whole reading. I didn't laughed once, wasn't entertained by ridiculously beautifully drawn action - the only thing I could think of was I hated the decisions of the main character and his lack of empathy towards the closest ones.
Maybe it's my whole big projection. But then again, if it was supposed to be some straight up fun comic book, well - it wasn't and it was pretty mediocre.
Maybe it's my whole big projection. But then again, if it was supposed to be some straight up fun comic book, well - it wasn't and it was pretty mediocre.
March 10, 2023
A well written intelligent protagonist how is not almighty. Count me in.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews