It's the start of the first Vertigo series from fan-favorite writer Gail Simone, with 2000AD artist Jon Davis-Hunt! Astrid Mueller is the enigmatic and compelling guru of a giant self-help organization-a devastatingly powerful figure in the industry between psychology and religion. Journalist Chloe Pierce's fiancé decided to pick up Astrid's book, and within three months he was dead. Something in Astrid Mueller's book made Philip blow his brains out all over Chloe's new kitchen.
Now Chloe is on a mission to find out who Astrid Mueller really is. What is this Clean Room she's been hearing about where your deepest fear and worst mo more
The Clean Room itself is almost certainly symbolic of some kind of dark gnosis, a liminal space that exists outside of time, space, life, and death that brings about a reckoning with the fundamental forces of the universe. It may in fact draw on the same occult rite of passage that Morrison drew on to create The Filth, the confrontation with the abyss, which would be absolutely thrilling. Get in on Clean Room now. We may have only the vaguest idea of what rough beast Simone and Davis-Hunt have slouching towards Bethlehem, but it's already showing every sign of being spectacular. Read Full Review
Clean Room #1 is exactly what the doctor ordered if you're looking for a mysterious thriller with horror elements. You'll either want Chloe to continue researching or stop immediately, with the opinion changing every few pages. Read Full Review
Clean Room #1will be satisfying to fans of Gail Simone and Jon Davis-Hunt's previous works. It will also be an enjoyable read for fans of Hitchcockian thrillers and horror books in general. Read Full Review
All in all, this was a solid opening to a book series that looks like it could go toe to toe with any number of Vertigo's other heavy hitters while providing more than its fair share of nightmare fuel. Read Full Review
Clean Room is a mystery from the start, one that has multiple paths laid out before us. Chloe's self-affirming "Let's see what f--king havoc a journalism degree can create" isn't just a cool line worthy of Spider Jerusalem himself, but a challenge taken on by Simone to see how far down the rabbit hole these notions go. A first issue that is equal parts thrilling and ominous, this has all the makings of an outstanding series. Read Full Review
A wonderful start to a truly eerie, but intellectually curious story, Clean Room #1 will likely never have the mystique to work with that biographers of the Church of Scientology had twenty some years ago, but the mystery isnt as simple as what goes on behind closed doors, really. The real mystery, it seems, is happening around us at every moment. And THAT is far more frightening to behold. Read Full Review
Something very unsettling is happening with this book, and the measured approach to the plotting heightens the tension with every page. Plus: The art is lovely throughout. Read Full Review
Simone weaves a compelling tale in this debut issue loaded with setup and questions that have no answers. In the hands of a lesser storyteller this would leave me feeling frustrated at the lack of information. In the hands of Simone it leave me intrigued and wanting to read more! This has the feel of being a new Vertigo classic. Fans of Vertigo series like Y: The Last Man or Preacher should check this one out and get in on the ground floor. This is not a direct comparison with either of those series, other than the fact that I had the same feeling of reading something special in this first issue that I had when I read the debuts of those other Vertigo classics. Read Full Review
Though I'm generally a bit unfamiliar with Jon Davis-Hunt's artwork, I'm excited to be introduced to him throughhis collaboration with Gail Simone's natural storytelling abilities. Knowing myself to be particularly picky about certain artists' style, I was pleasantly surprised to see that these two worked beautifully together. Jon Davis-Hunt's clean line work and fun use of color makes for an interesting compliment to Gail Simone's precise and compelling words. While this series could have taken a darker tone in art, I find that the smart tightness and beauty of both the words and art bring out the best of this horror, mystery story about a very relatable and strong-willed Chloe, looking for answers to the loss of her life, in a world in which she"and perhaps a select other few"can see some pretty horrific things. Read Full Review
"Clean Room" #1 certainly strives for perfection, and is nearly there. The writing and art direction, the horror, the thrill of the read, and the psychological drama of this book are all top-notch. It leaves you wanting more, but at the same time fearing that youll never be fulfilled. A very strong start for the series. Look for further reviews as we'll definitely be following this one closely. Read Full Review
Some horrors are easy todescribe, but the kind of horror we see in CleanRoom is more visceral. Though many of the characters have a pugnaciousquality about them, the art is very strong and detailed and effective where itneeds to be. Perhaps you were feeling like you were sleeping too well and coulduse a few mild nightmares? Well say no more, pick up this series and wonderabout those spaced-out people pushing reflective stickers and flowers down atthe airport. Read Full Review
Gail Simone's first Vertigo issue sets up a lot. We're off to a great start and you'll definitely want to know what's coming up and what will happen next. Jon Davis-Hunt's art and colors are a perfect match for the story and creates a really nice tone. As this is a set up issue, there is a bit going on and it's obvious the pacing of future issues will change. There were some moments it felt things jumped a bit and quickly built up to the cliffhanger ending. Even though we have so many great titles available on comic shelves each week, I'm happy to add CLEAN ROOM to my reading list. Simone and Davis-Hunt have given us a nice and juicy story that allows you to momentarily escape reality as you get pulled into this freaky world. Read Full Review
"Clean Room" marks the first ongoing Gail Simone series at Vertigo and it is off to a great start. Simone introduces a cache of interesting and well-defined characters while setting the stage for a super-natural story that cloaks itself in a religious cult. The comic provides some detailed pencils that hit the mark particularly well in two terrifying images. Overall, this is a fun, but in a chilling way, read. "Clean Room" is not a comic book to pass on. Read Full Review
I am a fan of Simone and I am glad to see her produce something of substance, following on from the over long Swords of Sorrow books from Dynamite. The book reads well, looks great and I am looking forward to the battle of wills between Chloe and Astrid that seems to be on the horizon. Read Full Review
Despite the uneven exposition, the hooks in "Clean Room" #1 are very strong. Simone and Davis-Hunt have created a huge amount of suspense, and much will depend on whether the eventual answers can live up to those expectations. Read Full Review
Gail Simone and Jon Davis-Hunt are a duo that have welcomed us to a world that is far from clean. With the sheen of the real world, "Clean Room" #1 has mysteries and ghoulish entities lurking beneath its unsettling surface. Read Full Review
The first issue is an interesting start. It's enough to get me to want to come back for the second, but I definitely was a bit lost in the beginning. This could be one that'll play out better in trade form, but we'll see! Read Full Review
Gail Simone is no stranger to the wild and weird, so its saying something that Clean Room #1 may be her strangest yet. Read Full Review
Clean Room #1 has a lot of good ideas going for it and there are things to like, especially the unsettling vibes the story is emanating. The problem lies solely in the execution of the story and writing due to how unnatural and fast everything comes across. This is another Vertigo book I and many others were excited about reading, especially after it got put off for so long. However, the first issue is a disappointment despite the gold that lies underneath all of its problems. Maybe come back if it improves and hopefully, it will. Read Full Review
Beautiful comic, wonderfully written -- I can't wait until the next issue!
Derivative of Lovecraft, but if that's your thing, you'll probably dig it. A lot happens in this one issue, could have been spread over 12.This is Simone stretching out of her comfort zone into super-weird, could have been great, but it's just OK.
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