Trees, Vol. 1

Set ten years after strange alien pillars appear on Earth, this globe-spanning sci-fi tale explores the small-scale reactions to a large-scale world-changing event, and the existential dread the unknown can bring. Writer Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Red) sometimes overloads on philosophizing talking-head scenes, but ultimately he creates characters with relatable desires: to understand, to succeed, to love and be loved. For the most part, they resemble real people not always seen in sci-fi stories like this—as in a very sweet romance that shows how real life can continue even after a catastrophe. With an emphasis on place, pace, and faces, the art from Howard (Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolf-Man) is reminiscent of European sci-fi from Métal Hurlant, and the busy layouts give the feeling of a handheld, faux-doc feature. There is a scratchy realness to the illustrations and the colors convey a world both bright and worn. A fine addition to the tradition of SF that exaggerates tomorrow’s problems to better paint a picture of today. (Mar.)