Foretold (Hustle & Heart #1)

In this action-packed but lackluster suspense series opener scripted by Amodio (the Heathens series), history professor Derek Lynn awakens from a blackout to find himself thrust into the aftermath of a catastrophic disaster, and not for the first time. Derek’s estranged daughter, Casey, attempts to find sympathy for her father’s plight, but may have finally run out of patience with his frequent disappearances and uncanny ability to end up at the site of calamity (and run away seemingly unharmed). With the help of a psychologist, Derek uncovers the disturbing truth behind his nightmarish leaps, just as a government agency (and another mysterious group) converge on him. The script’s as disjointed as Derek’s fractured memories, and the four different artists sharing the drawing chores results in unremarkable and sometimes awkward art. Though the stakes keep rising, the story cycles from family comedy to thriller to horror, and the whole affair seems to serve primarily as a setup. The “hustle” aspect is apparent; it reads more like a screenplay or proof of concept, with the “heart” absent amid underdeveloped characters and under-drawn backgrounds. All setup and no payoff make this opening chapter a miss. (Feb.)