BENJAMIN #1 – SOMETIMES THE AFTER LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

In 1982, Benjamin J. Carp was a force in the literary world. Carp was the mastermind behind 44 novels along with countless short stories. One of those became a classic in the counterculture genre: The Man They Couldn’t Erase. His vision and creativity continuously pushed boundaries beyond science fiction.

Carp was not perfect. Years of amphetamine abuse & hard living finally caught up with him. 1982 was the year Carp passed away. His legacy has lived on but another question has come about in present day:

How the heck is he found alive and unwell in 2025?

That is the mystery behind a brand new series from Oni Press. “Benjamin” is the full-length comic debut of writer Ben Winters. Readers may know his’ work from “Cruel Universe“, “Underground Airlines” & the award-winning The Last Policeman novel trilogy. He is also the creator of CBS’ acclaimed TV series Tracker.

Joining him on this odyssey is artist Leomacs. His work on Rogues, Epitaphs from the Abyss, & Ghostlore have impressed fans for many stories. How does this pair do on this ambitious outing?

Nerd Initiative got an advance look at Benjamin #1 by Ben H. Winters, Leomacs, Luca Bertelè &
Becca Carey.

Here is my *SPOILER FREE* review of the first chapter in the three part series.

MORE FROM ONI PRESS!

Winters weaves many themes through this opening chapter. From the offset. Carp falls into the traditional “fish out of water” narrative. This is most likely the only thing “traditional” of this issue. When he wakes in a run-down motel room, Carp has little time to process events. The banter between him and some workers comes across fun and conflicting. Readers can get a sense of Carp’s true personality within moments. Carp’s awakening winds down on a hilarious note. It gets the ball rolling on true main event.

Carp does find a surprise friend in his mystery. Marcus, a man who befriends Carp after the hotel incident, is a great counter-balance to Carp’s distinct personality. Winters gives a few outrageous situations to showcase their clashing of worlds. They are sure to become an instant fan-favorite pair. After that is done, Winters does a great job slowly peeling back the curtain on what has transpired. It is a multi-leveled structure to this chapter. Nothing feels rushed or forced. Readers will be challenged to cipher through reality and perception. This style of storytelling works well with time displacement. Events conclude with a stunning ending which will leave the audience more curious than ever.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

As for the art, Leomacs and Bertelè play into the mind-bending aspects of the story. Carp comes across as ever defiant while broken in each scene. It conveys the uncertainty of not only him, but the grand scheme at play. Carp has a striking resemblance to Rainn Wilson, who would be perfect for a live action adaptation. Each moment paired with Marcus showcases his gruff outlook on events.

The art team also captures the difficulties waking up 43 years later after your “death”. Each reaction from Carp serves to compliment the long game being told within these pages. There’s no shortage of awkwardness. Readers will journey through a few emotional phases before heading to the closing sequence. Once in this phase, the art tales over dropping a few key exclamation points before bowing out this round.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.5/10

Expect the unexpected is an understatement with “Benjamin”. Winters crafts a tale of defiance and delusion via the mind of Benjamin J. Carp. Leomacs, Bertelè and Carey give readers multiple exciting visions of an ever-evolving world. Buckle in for what is sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Let me know your thoughts on BENJAMIN #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading! CLICK HERE FOR MORE CONTENT FROM KEN