Memetic #1
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Memetic #1

Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Eryk Donovan Publisher: Boom! Studios Release Date: October 22, 2014 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 31 User Reviews: 7
8.5Critic Rating
8.6User Rating

A Meme is an idea that starts with an individual, and then spreads throughout multiple persons and potentially entire societies. Richard Dawkins suggests a meme's success comes from its effectiveness to the host. But history shows that destructive memes can spread just as rapidly through society. MEMETIC shows the progression of a weaponized meme that leads to the utter annihilation of the human race within 72 hours. The root of this apocalypse is a single image on the internet, a "meme" in the popular sense. A meme that changes everything.

  • 10
    Big Comic Page - Hazel Hay Oct 21, 2014

    Memetic is fantastic and I am genuinely excited to see where Memetic goes. Or takes me. Now hand me a Ibuprofen. Read Full Review

  • 10
    All-Comic - Ian Stephen Oct 22, 2014

    Memetic was a surprisingly fun first issue. Let's also not forget that this issue is a whopping 48 pages. After reading this over-sized first issue I then realized that this was only a three issue mini-series. With only two issues left, there isn't much room to slow down. The last two issues will also be over-sized. Let's just hope they make as big an impact as this first issue did. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Bastards - Steven E. Paugh Oct 22, 2014

    Maybe it's just my own headspace that's being attacked by the false pleasantries of the Happy Little Sloth, but hot-damn did I love Memetic #1, for its supple storytelling, natural pacing, terrifying premise and exceptional artistic execution. Buy this book … it's blissssssss. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Nerd Rock From The Sun - Trevor Coelho Oct 22, 2015

    The best horror books stay with you long after you put them down. Memetic is not only difficult to put down, but will also leave you with chills when you finish. At the end of the day, more than even the story and characters, the intensity of the very real, very human emotions, dealt with in such captivating fashion, make Memetic one of the best end-of-the-world horror books out there. If there is a better one, I have yet to find it. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Doom Rocket - Molly Jane Kremer Oct 23, 2014

    Tynion has obviously done his homework on memetics, and uses this evolutionary imperative we have of spreading information (helpful or otherwise) to really establish the possibility of, as Marcus calls it, "memetic warfare". Tynion has emphasized how deeply linked we are as humans in 2014, and how deeply unsettling those ramifications can be. By the end of the issue, Memetic is a picture of overwhelming end-of-the-world despair, but there are still two more oversized issues to go, and so much more desolation to see. Tynion and Donovan have taken the technological backbones of modern society and twisted them into the stuff of nightmares, leaving this reader hungry for more. Read Full Review

  • 9.3
    Geek Sushi - Peter Rodriguez Oct 21, 2014

    The visuals from Eryk Donovan are just as hypnotic as the sloth image itself, as this issue is exceptionally illustrated and mesmerizing to say the least. The story is unlike anything I've read before, and Tynion IV has created and written a remarkable first issue that is truly frightening. Memetic is an extraordinary work of art as well as a warning about the horrifying realistic threat of cyber warfare. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - F-O-R-R-E-S-T Oct 22, 2014

    I'm a Public Relations major at my university. I talk and learn about social media every single day. If you had told me, before I had a chance to read it, that this comic was coming out I would've scoffed at you. I would have also been wrong. This is a fun, scary and accurate interpretation of the world we live in, it's real and honest, what else can you ask for? Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Horror DNA - James Ferguson Oct 29, 2014

    Memetic begins with a fairly silly idea (an Internet meme that brings about the apocalypse) and quickly establishes it as a terrifying way for the world to end. The characters come off as completely real and the use of social media within the comic feels very natural and not forced at all. It's a human take on the complete destruction of society, showing how fast we can go from smart phones to cave men all thanks to a seemingly innocent picture of a happy little sloth. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - David Brooke Oct 21, 2014

    Compelling premise, interesting story and a mystery that drives everything in the right direction. Check this book out, especially since it's so damn prescient right now. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicWow!TV - AD Boorman Oct 22, 2014

    This is a three issue oversized comic from BOOM. This is a fascinating take on the apocalypse story.The concept of a weaponized meme has been used before - from an old MONTY PYTHON sketch about the killer joke to CELL by Steven King, it is not new. Tynion's challenge is to surround the event with fascinating and realistic characters, keep them likeable, and find ways to get them through this apocalypse - or not. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Coming Up Comics - David Melton Oct 21, 2014

    While reading this issue, see if you can spot “The Woods” references. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Oct 21, 2014

    I was as skeptical - perhaps more skeptical - than most when I heard about Memetic, dismissing it as a ham-handed, instantly dated grab at relevance. And perhaps people have done the same about Tynion, who's enjoyed a blossoming career on Batman Eternal along with his mentor, Scott Snyder. But this is the book that's going to take Tynion out from under Snyder's shadow, and establish him as a striking talent in his own right. Memetic is smart, terrifying, timely and surprisingly full of heart. It's the kind of horror story that taps directly into today's fears, whether it be technology turning on us or virulent plagues wiping us all out. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Lost Lighthouse - thelostlighthouse Oct 23, 2014

    This was a really strong start for this short mini series. I loved the concept, and the execution was spot on too. Pick this up at your LCS or digitally (before the internet is shut down and society falls apart!). Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Kat Vendetti Oct 23, 2014

    This team has conjured up something special, from its setting that is recognizable without being contrived or trite, to Donovan's vivid and expressive characterizations, and to the weirdly iconic Good Times Sloth itself. I'm drawn in the way Memetic's characters are drawn to that happy little sloth. Don't miss out on this one. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Alison Berry Oct 22, 2014

    So, to recap: intriguing concept, timely questions, and very sharp character work. Best of luck to Team Memetic. I hope they stick the landing. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bloody Disgusting - Pablo Arriaga Oct 22, 2014

    Eryk Donovan's art is set on everything that's happening in this world and not missing an eye for detail. With an amazing flow from one panel to the next one, you're not feeling like you're missing any moments or are stuck, mirroring Memetic's world to ours. Aaron's “I should go to sleep” moment is all too familiar to all of us. Whethe Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    IGN - Tres Dean Oct 23, 2014

    If you can get over the somewhat-ridiculous premise, Memetic is sure to deliver plenty of chills just in time for Halloween. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Word Of The Nerd - William Oct 23, 2014

    Tynion and Donovan have created a winner here"I'm not talking complete gold status, but a runner up with serious targets on the prize! It's a shame the story, slated for only a few issues, won't last but it is engrossing in its brevity. It's well-crafted and flows in every sense: in art, in theme, in dialogue, in baiting" Is Memetic fantasy? Horror? Prophecy? Or all three? Luckily, with only a three-issue limited run, we won't have long to find out! Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Multiversity Comics - Michelle White Oct 24, 2014

    This isn't the first horror story about a deadly meme. As the comic itself remarks, a meme is just an idea, and within those parameters something like The Ring or your favourite espionage movie would probably quality. But "Memetic" is refreshing. It's all in the way it integrates the silliness, the "lightness" of many activities on the internet, and turns that simple, harmless aspect of it into something terrifying. While we may have little to fear from our Bad Joke Eels and Actual Advice Mallards, I think we've known for a while that the potential is there. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Oct 16, 2024

    Donovan delivers beautiful and stylish art throughout the issue. I love the contrasting views of the world in the first few pages and how everything grows and evolves visually. A beautifully detailed issue from start to finish. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geekality - Thanos T. Theodoropoulos Oct 24, 2014

    We have the start of what could be a very entertaining mini series, with an interest in central idea, a well-structured protagonist, beautiful art, plus, an adorable sloth. Issue #2 is already on my pull list and it should be on yours too. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Flip Geeks - Josef Hamto Oct 27, 2014

    Memetic looks very promising. Fans of mystery or anyone who just wants a good read should grab it. And c'mon!? Who doesn't want to know how a single picture caused the end of humanity? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - Adam Cadmon Oct 22, 2014

    Memetic #1 is a solid beginning to what looks like an interesting and downright horrifying story. I suggest you give this book a chance and give yourself a fear-filled speculative treat this Halloween. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Spectrum - Bob Bretall Nov 10, 2014

    Tynion weaves a tight tale here setting all the dominoes in place, knocking over the 1st one at the end of the issue. I'm all in for the 3 issues because I really need to see what pattern the falling dominoes are going to make. Story set up is complete, we see where we're going to end up in the short term, now the story needs to be fleshed out to make it more than just a cool idea. I loved this issue and if the pay-off lives up to the setup I can see giving the entire series a 5/5. As it sits right now, I'm hedging my bet and giving this a 4/5 as a really solid setup and I'm looking forward to seeing how the entire tale stands up. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Resources - Jim Johnson Oct 22, 2014

    "Memetic" #1 has a kind of creepy, modern-day "Outer Limits" feel, and is especially unnerving because Tynion recognizes that the scariest threats are the ones that are closest. It's a great start to a story that benefits from its extra length, giving readers something beyond a taste that makes them want more, not unlike that psychedelic sloth contained within. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Outright Geekery - Gaumer Nov 2, 2014

    Memetic is a great comic book that anyone can pick up, read, and walk away from the experience with something substantial. There's a solid story, well paced horror, and an underlying examination of current societal trends that leave readers wondering, but stays open-ended and nonjudgmental. The character-driven tale gives everything a strong sense of realism, and I can't help but ask the question: ‘What If?' Accompanied by amazing art and backed by great design decisions, Memetic is definitely something you should check out. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Front Towards Gamer - Lido Oct 24, 2014

    Memetic actually reminded me a lot of the Doctor Who episode 'Turn Left' in that both present situations feel eerilyplausible yet also avoidable. All throughout Memetic as the world slowly collapses you're left with this niggling hope that everything won't fall apart, that someone will stop this even though you've already seen the outcome. You just keep expecting The Doctor or Batman or someone to do something, to save the world. But it never comes. Everything falls apart and the only people who might be able to help are a million miles away from a solution. It's that sinking realization there is no one to save the day makingMemetic feel so completely chilling. The realization there are no heroes to save us and that sometimes we just don't get to survive. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    BGCP - Leeroy Oct 22, 2014

    Modern, exciting and very much a page turner, Memetic's first instalment leaves you thirsty for more! Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    8CN - Matt Overstreet Oct 22, 2014

    Still, all the pieces are there, but like the victims in the story, it's hard to get past the sloth in the room. I'm just not sure the internet is a serious enough place, on the whole, (at least as of yet) for any kind of story to be centered around it. I've yet to encounter a work of any kind, predicated on the idea of internet culture, that didn't come off as pretty silly, and unfortunately, for as good as it is,Memeticis the same way. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    8CN - Andrew Tran Oct 22, 2014

    Excuse me for sounding jaded, but the circumstances of this line's delivery is the most bastardized, far-removed rendition I've yet seen of that infamous scene inNight of the Living Dead, the onewhere the little sick girl in the basement rises from her makeshift medical table and shuffles ominously over to her mother, too preoccupied with fear to notice the familial insurrection under her nose. While the original struck chords of fear in a generation so deliciously ripe for that destruction of the nuclear family,Memeticattempts something similar with the meme-addicted generation, but I'd wait a bit: our own tailor-made apocalypse is surely around the corner, and we needn't settle for this. Read Full Review

  • 3.5
    Stash My Comics - Jay Inglis Oct 31, 2014

    Boom Studios has been getting better and better at releasing these limited issue runs that focus on new and original story ideas and in my humble opinion, Memetic #1 is likely to become another arrow in an already well stocked quiver. Read Full Review

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