Review: PACIFIC RIM: TALES FROM THE DRIFT #1

Story: Travis Beacham | Writer: Joshua Fialkov

Artist: Marcos Marz | Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo

It might be awhile before we get a true sequel to Pacific Rim, but Tales From The Drift seems to be a worthwhile investment for fans of the universe. The storytelling team of Travis Beacham and Joshua Fialkov are doing something a bit more intimate with this series, and pulling us into the world of a married couple, Duc and Kaori, who are also the pilots of the Jaeger Tacit Ronin.

There are Kaiju aplenty in this book, and big battles of monster vs. mechs, but the real spotlight is on the relationship between Duc and Kaori. The book transitions from the present day to back when the couple first met, and then ping-pongs back and forth for the remainder of the book. While the film had its share of pilot teams and characters, none of them are as out and out likable as Duc and Kaori. Being married myself, those little nuances and cues that couples pick up over time are so evident here in the back and forth between the two. For example, on page 5, Kaori is communicating with command, and Duc “translates” for her. The exchange here is one we have had many a time, though not necessarily about the same subject, but the feel of the conversation was perfectly on point. Fialkov delivers dialogue between the two that evokes a closeness and intimacy with one another. They were hands down the best part of the book, and I’m hopeful that this continues.

Not to be outdone, because we are dealing with giant robots and monsters, the art team of Marcos Marz and Marcelo Maiolo deliver on the visuals. The biggest takeaway from issue one is just how menacing and enormous the Kaiju appear to be on the page. The book succeeds multiple times in demonstrating the sheer scope and size of these things, and always reminds you that we are but a small nuisance to these things without the Jaegers.

I greatly enjoyed issue #1, and while you might come for the big monster fights, you should stay to get to know Duc and Kaori, the real stars of the show.