DUDLEY DATSON AND THE FOREVER MACHINE #1 / Script by SCOTT SNYDER / Pencils by JAMAL IGLE / Inks by JUAN CASTRO / Colors by CHRIS SOTOMAYOR / Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO / Published by DARK HORSE COMICS

Dudley Datson is not a great inventor. He’s 15 and full of potential, but his inventions have an unfortunate tendency to go wrong. He dreams of becoming great, and is encouraged by his father, his best friend, and his teacher. Unfortunately, caring for his sick father hinders Dudley’s ability to go all-in on his work and he’s thinking of dropping out.

Plans for the future are put on hold, as Dudley finds himself in the middle of a war zone inside his school. This leads Dudley to become the unwitting guardian of a special watch and the legacy of Earth’s greatest inventors. Accompanied by a talking dog with his own story to tell, Dudley Datson may be the last hope for humanity.

I had high hopes reading Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine #1 and I was not disappointed. I rarely am when Scott Snyder or Jamal Igle are involved. This first issue is, admittedly, a bit trope-heavy, as Dudley and his world are established. The young person held back by a responsibility they shouldn’t have to take on is a stock concept for a reason. So is the secret society protecting humanity from unknown evils.

Thankfully, the execution of this standardized setup is top notch. Snyder’s core conceit of the Chymical Society and their history is more than enthralling enough to be memorable. Snyder also does an excellent job of introducing us to Dudley and developing him into the kind of character we want to root for, despite his awkward edges.

The artwork is equally excellent. Jamal Igle’s character designs are unique and he perfectly captures a variety of subjects, from Ancient Crete to advanced technology. The inks of Juan Castro, the colors of Chris Sotomayor, and Tom Napolitano’s letters provide the perfect finishing touches.

In short, this is an inventive comic for the young and the young at heart. Scott Snyder and Jamal Igle have created something special. I look forward to reading more of Dudley Datson’s adventures in the future.

Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on April 17, 2024.