Roche Limit #1
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Roche Limit #1

Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Vic Malhotra Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: September 24, 2014 Cover Price: $3.5 Critic Reviews: 31 User Reviews: 8
8.4Critic Rating
7.6User Rating

"OUR DESTINY IS THE STARS, AND I WILL LEAD US THERE." Twenty years after this promise, billionaire Langford Skaargard's dream of cosmic exploration is no more. Roche Limit, a colony situated on the cusp of a mysterious energy anomaly, is a melting pot of crime and terrible secrets. When Bekkah Hudson goes missing, the search to find her will plunge her sister and a cadre of the colony's underworld figures into an odyssey that reveals a grim future for mankind. Blending 2001: A Space Odyssey with Blade Runner, ROCHE LIMIT is the first part of a bold sci-fi/noir trilogy.

  • 10
    Rhymes With Geek - The Death Of Comics Sep 19, 2014

    Moreci, Malhotra, Boyd and Ferrier reach new limits (pun intended) with this first issue which has all the makings of the next must read/must own/got to have series. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Horror DNA - James Ferguson Sep 16, 2014

    Roche Limit has been described as a cross between Blade Runner and 2001: A Space Odyssey. While I loved the former, I was bored out of my mind by the latter. Fortunately, the comic is a healthy mix of science fiction and good old-fashioned hard-boiled pulp. It perfectly captures this sense of despair that comes from the human race no longer trying to advance itself. There's a great line towards the beginning of the issue that reads "We were taking steps sideways, not forward." That sums up the feeling of this place pretty well. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Crusaders - Matt Deery Sep 22, 2014

    Roche Limit is a great comic that has bags of potential, this first issue sets up a wonderful new sci-fi universe for readers to explore, giving us a great tease of what is to come and setting up Moreci's overall narrative. It will be interesting to see where this intrigue and mystery takes as we explore Roche Limit further. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comix I Read - Boris Roberto Aguilar Sep 23, 2014

    A mystery Sci-fi comic book is pretty much what I would call a perfect combination of genres. The world created by Malhorta and Moreci is as vast as it is deep. They have a firm grasp of the world and where they want to take the readers. I can't help but see various contrasts to the real world in this book. The world is a gritty parallel to the people living on it. The characters are strong and their intentions are known (for now). For a dbut issue, it was very strong and I would recommend anyone getting their pull list ready for tomorrow to add this to it. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Coming Up Comics - David Melton Sep 23, 2014

    A strong beginning to a series that perfectly blends vastly different genres to create something much more exciting. Read Full Review

  • 9.1
    We The Nerdy - Josh McCullough Sep 26, 2014

    What holds the whole package together is the beautiful art of Vic Malhotra. His style is very versatile, its suitably grand and epic when showing us the vast reaches of the cosmos though also manages to showcase the gritty mean streets of Roche Limit. He even delivers a pretty creepy dream sequence which, as Ford puts it, will seriously **** with your brain. Malhotra and Moreci work perfectly in sync to create this world and both bring their A-game. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bloody Disgusting - Torin Chambers Sep 24, 2014

    “Roche Limit” is an astounding introduction to a rich and intricate world. Its not perfect, but its got heart. The only real stumble is with the characterization of Sonya, who as of this first issue I couldnt care less about. Especially when compared to Alex Ford she might as well have been a cardboard cutout. I can only hope shes fleshed out in the coming issues. Roche Limit has got all of its building blocks spread out on the table now, I have nothing but the utmost confidence that Michael Moreci will build greatness. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Sep 23, 2014

    Like the Roche Limit colony itself, this comic isn't about flashiness, it's about utility. There are no wasted pages here, no off-the-wall action sequences to distract from the mood. This comic is all about mood, the claustrophobic nature of the colony and the criminality that has eroded its very soul. While it's unclear where the general plot of this comic might go, the world itself is a dangerous place - and Moreci has put his heroes on a path that will only be harder from here. There might be a lot of comics in space these days, but this one has just struck the motherlode. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geeked Out Nation - Jess Camacho Sep 24, 2014

    “Roche Limit” #1 is a great debut and this series has a ton of potential. It's beautiful and puts the focus on the characters like all good stories should. Get this now before it becomes a huge hit and you kick yourself for not getting with the program. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Spectrum - Shawn Hoklas Sep 28, 2014

    The art by Vic Malhotra works perfectly with the storytelling. With the sci-fi setting, Malhotra keeps everything grounded. The science fiction elements are rough and worn, not clean and sterile. This is a world that feels lived in and feels aged. The art style feels right for the multiple genres this book covers, and the colors by Jordan Boyd go a long way in adding to the tone and look of the book. Image continues to put out some of the best books being published today, and this looks to be yet another example of the original and creative material they continue to release. There's a lot to love in this first issue of Roche Limit and it looks as though this is the beginning of what could be something big. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - Sam Roche Sep 25, 2014

    Roche Limit is a comic I'm proud to share a name with. It's well written and has some great ideas behind it. The artwork is on point and I can't wait to visit this strange intergalactic colony again next month! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - F.D. White Sep 18, 2014

    Despite dangling almost too many plot threads in front of readers, Roche Limit never loses focus and dazzles with compelling story, characters, and art. Read Full Review

  • 8.9
    IGN - Tres Dean Sep 25, 2014

    Some comics are just plain cool. There's no way to describe exactly what it is that makes them this way. They're just cool. Michael Moreci and Vic Malhotra's Roche Limit is one of those books. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Hyper Geeky - Mahir Ajmal Oct 2, 2014

    Overall, I think Roche Limit is interesting and engaging from the get go. All the characters are quickly established, and the dark narrative excites and tempts the reader into reading further and further into this sci-fi mystery. With very tonally firm art that's iconic along with no-nonsense characters,this book is recommended. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Comicosity - Jessica Boyd Sep 24, 2014

    The detective, the victim and big bad boss are all revealed and explored within the first issue. However, the larger mystery had only had the surface scratched. It's clear that this creative team is setting fans of crime and mystery on a path that is unclear in the best way possible. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Buccaneer Book Reviews - Cap'n Aldous B. Adder Sep 27, 2014

    It all comes together to give us a nicely crafted adventure and mystery with just enough science and futuristic concepts mixed into the basic running, gunning and intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat. Coupled with a nice art style that just pops to life under the excellent colours by Jordan Boyd, all in all I quite enjoyed this latest entry into Image's lineup of comics. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Matthew Sardo May 5, 2015

    Call your local comic book store and ask them to out Roche Limit: Clandestiny #1 on hold for you. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geek Sushi - Chris Partin Sep 15, 2014

    "Roche Limit" #1 is a strong first issue from Moreci, Malhotra, Boyd, and Ferrier and is another great new series launching at Image Comics. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Sep 23, 2014

    Roche Limit #1 is off to an exciting start. It blends the potential of science fiction and noir into a narrative that is capable of taking advantage of both. There is still a lot of ground to cover, but Moreci and Malhotra seem to have a clear grasp of their world and are prepared to explore both its inner workings and what they imply about humanity. Although the story introduces a place that reflects the worst in humanity, there are sparks of hope and determination. Whether this will amount to a more optimistic philosophy in the end is something I am keen to discover. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    BGCP - Alessandro Spitoni Sep 25, 2014

    A muted world with booming characters. A strong start for the series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Jen 'Miss J' Aprahamian Sep 24, 2014

    ROCHE LIMIT balances steadily-paced storytelling with high-action moments, and introduces us to a world that begs to be explored. There's an undercurrent of noir mystery, but the book is very much rooted in sci-fi, and it's already evident that we're going to see exploration and progress pitted against timeless human nature. Moreci, Malhotra, & Co. bring us a finely-crafted first issue that piques interest in the rest of the series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Dan Pennacchia Sep 18, 2014

    An incredibly subtle, but fascinating aspect to Roche Limit is the window of history left open. As is explained in the opening monologue, and further in the issue's back matter, the colony was established two years before this story. What was supposed to be a center for the most intelligent and curious minds became something entirely different. Despite the story moving forward, Moreci has created a very intriguing thread by leaving this hole. Additionally, he touches on a very curious philosophical discussion about human nature. Given the freedom to explore the universe from space itself, human beings found themselves closer to their animal roots than reaching a new level in the advancement of intelligence. Putting these concepts together with the thrust of the major plot elements, Roche Limit #1 is very satisfying. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    PopMatters - Steven Michael Scott Sep 29, 2014

    Roche Limit is brimming with ideas and is a prime example of why comics and sci-fi mix so well. It's off to a good start but I'm more interested in where it's going. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Steven E. Paugh Sep 24, 2014

    If you hadn't noticed, I was delightfully surprised after reading Roche Limit, flipping through its first pages thinking I'd almost immediately put it down. Very early on, though, it hooked and dragged me in, not unlike the bifurcated corpse of an ill-fated astronaut. I just hope Moreci, Malhorta and company can keep this story together as it goes along, without suffering the disintegration of two genres coexisting too closely within the same gravity. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    TheCultDen - Reece Morris-Jones Sep 24, 2014

    In the end its still an introductory issue. We're being introduced to everyone and getting a feel for the world they live in. But what a great world it is; dangerous, seedy, fascinating. Read Full Review

  • 7.9
    Multiversity Comics - Alice W. Castle Sep 18, 2014

    "Roche Limit" is a strong debut from a creative team that really know the story they want to tell. By blending aspects of science fiction and hard boiled crime fiction with a wholly unique setting, Michael Moreci and Vic Malhotra have created a series that is sure to be interesting and compelling. The artwork from Vic Malhotra as well as the colours by Jordan Boyd really bring a unique feeling to the story as they exploit the bleak oppressive setting. This is rounded off by a design by Tim Daniel that illustrates the principle of the Roche Limit right on the cover as well as showcasing the fantastic, Kubrick-like influence on Malhotra's art here. This is for those craving good science fiction in comics; you will not be disappointed. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Fangoria - Svetlana Fedotov Sep 24, 2014

    It's not just the visuals that really help this story move, but the entire collaborative vision, which includes fan-favorite Michael Moreci. He takes on the idea of a space noir with the ingenuity needed. All too often, attempts at mixing two very deliberate genres crash and burn when either outshines the story. Not so with ROCHE LIMIT. Moreci balances the two styles while expertly mixing in what bit of horror he can. He scatters emotional tidbits throughout"quick flashes of thoughts and animalistic fear that give the feel of flash-mob violence boiling right under the surface"while the characters of Skaarsgard and Hudson have a natural grace to them. Appropriately for a deft blend of genre, both leads complement each other's personalities as they make their way across the pages. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    8CN - Andrew Tran Sep 25, 2014

    The style and overall aura ofRoche Limit is infectious, and while I'm not exactly gripping my seat wondering of Sonya will ever find Bekkah, I would love to see more of Alex Ford's Constantine-style antics. The main image drawing me back, though, is one tucked away in that prose epilogue--the fact that Skaargred is still on the Roche Limit, lost somewhere in his own failed Eden. Read Full Review

  • 7.2
    The Latest Pull - Eric Tillirson Sep 28, 2014

    For what it's worth, I did look up what an actual Roche Limit is because of this story. Naming a book that screams with intent that this is a real concept within some domain of physics. Likely, “Roche Limit's” story will be written to reflect this actual phenomenon. Knowing this after reading the issue does work for it, because I can see the set up they're going for. That doesn't make me feel any less in the middle of the road. I look forward to seeing what else “Roche Limit” brings to the table next month. I guess you could say it's pulled me into its gravitational pull and I have no other choice but to see this story out. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Booked - Newell Turner Sep 26, 2014

    The first issue ofRoche Limit gives us the beginning of a mystery in a unique setting, but I don't know if it's enough to keep me interested. I don't have any emotional investment in the characters at this point and I'm just not sold on the premise being anything more than a cliche at this point. There's also a lot of info to take in, but rather than letting the details unfold naturally, we are given blue prints and news pieces. I'm not sure if this is a book for me. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Comics Bulletin - Alex Gradet Sep 30, 2014

    Theres no shortage of storylines, each setting up the expectation of eventually intersecting, but none sticks around long enough to make much impression or give a sense of what the stakes of this universe are or will become. Further harming matters, Morecis script which constantly twists and contorts in an effort at breezy wit, routinely falling shy of the mark. I sympathize with the guy; noir aint easy, but maybe its best left to those with a knack for it. 2/5 Stars, but only because Im not a total monster. Read Full Review

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