Review: Mind MGMT #4

This book is so good that I’m beginning to wonder if Matt Kindt isn’t just fucking with all of us and that he may in fact be able to mind project to everyone with this comic book. Seriously, this book is damn near flawless and I only say that because it’s fun to say. How Kindt manages to tell three stories in every issue is amazing and really the world that he’s built in this series is as massive as our own… which is good since it’s based on ours.  Really though, it’s now ours just a reflection of possibilities that could happen to ours and that’s why it’s impressive that the story feels as massive as our own world. Meru has finally found the missing passenger Henry Lyme and as he begins talking to her, she and we as the reader are sucked into his world. We’ve been following Meru throughout the story, but really we’ve been reading Lyme’s narration and watching as he’s in control of the story guiding Meru’s every move. It makes the transition from Meru to Lyme very smooth as we go into Lyme’s origin story.

Lyme’s story begins with him attending a special school after an event at his last school forced his parents to send him away. He quickly finds out that this school is not exactly what it appears to be. It’s for special children like him and has a very different curriculum including: Dream architects, futurists, immortals and creative writing. You should notice that three of those classes are things we’re already familiar with as a reader. The story goes on to follow Lyme’s journey through the school and a prelude to events that lead to where he is now.

Mind MGMT #4What a great origin story; mostly because it’s not finished and secondly because it was so interesting even as it followed a very basic formula to present the information. Kindt’s writing style is very unique as the dialog and story come across like a novel, but the story works perfectly with the comic book format. Kindt completely understands the comic book format and because of that he’s able to use the format’s strengths and hide all of its weaknesses.

The art is so dynamic, so creative and brilliant. When I see Kindt’s work I think of Jeff Lemire, but only because Lemire is a steps behind him. I can’t get over the fact that everything is so simple looking, but so brilliantly laid out that it creates layer after layer with the art. Again, it’s almost as if Kindt is messing with your head as the art seamlessly transitions across the page.

This has become one of those books that its harder and harder to review due to the simple fact that it is so consistently good. How many ways can I say this is one of the best books of the year and will probably be nominated for an Eisner and other industry awards as well because it’s that good. It’s been a great year for comics and an even better year to be a comic reader thanks to books like Mind MGMT.

Score: 5/5

Writer/Artist/Creator: Matt Kindt Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 8/22/12