Dissonance #1 Review

Writer: Singgih Nugroho / Artist: Sami Basri / Image Comics Dissonance throws a lot at you fast. Actually, it crams the entire history of its world into the first two pages. It’s all a bit overwhelming … at first. After getting through the world’s initial backstory, the narrative becomes easier to follow. However, it leaves you wanting for more.

The premise of Dissonance is pretty simple. A technologically advanced race of spirit-like aliens called Fantasmen come to earth looking for something they are missing – the virtue of humanity. In exchange for this and the chance to stop the constant war on their planet, the Fantasmen offer knowledge. What form does this exchange come in? Dissonance, a fusion (unfortunately, not the kind that involves dancing) that permanently bonds together a Fantasmen and human. Once again, this is all explained in detail within the first few pages of the issue. And after what seems like centuries, both worlds seem to benefit from this collaboration. My biggest problem with this is that it’s not all that believable. I’m somehow supposed to believe that Earth, the planet where countries are ready to square up over the pettiest of issues, is gonna teach a more advanced race how to stop fighting? Nah, son. Another issue Dissonance runs into is distinguishing the behavior and personalities of the different races. From what we see of the Fantasmen, Humans, and those who have undergone dissonance, the three groups act pretty much the same. The two chara…