Based on an idea by James Tynion IV
Script: Tate Brombal
Art: Isaac Goodhart
Colors: Miquel Muerto
Letters: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 28th, 2023
A teen discovers at a young age that he has an off-the-charts level intellect and can see equations in his head, fixing things around him and inventing elaborate new technologies. He’s doomed to forever feel isolated, different from everyone around him. Is this a new X-Men character? No, it’s The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1, which echoes the same themes as the mutant books and introduces a fascinating new character and world.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1 Review.
The Story
The thing I liked most about The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1 is that it feels like a fusion of low-budget 80’s sci-fi films like “Explorers” and “Invaders from Mars” combined with Universal Horror films. Christopher Chaos is a gay male teen who not only is struggling with his sexuality, he’s also having to deal with his power. He can see equations and patterns everywhere, immediately knowing how to fix something or improve it. If he doesn’t act on the equation and make adjustments to whatever’s not perfect, the thoughts get louder in his head until he literally causes an explosion around him. He reminds me of Rogue or Black Bolt, characters that have to constantly stay in check or they’ll cause a disaster.
This first issue is a great introduction to the character. We see him at school and at home, we learn he’s close with his mom, and we find that this world has monsters lurking about that are not known to most of that world, including werewolves and specters. Christopher’s written as a complex character, he’s not one-note. He’s going through many things all teenagers go through, processing his feelings and always feeling like an outcast at school. He’s simultaneously wanting to be accepted by the other kids but terrified of actually being accepted. He’s also reluctant to share what he’s going through with his mom, even though they’re close.
If I were a teenager reading this book, I think I’d relate to the character a lot. He has that same wonderful angst that Stan Lee gave Peter Parker in the early days of the Spider-Man books. The book doesn’t shy away from blood and gore, it leans more towards an R-Rating than a PG-13. There’s one sequence towards the end of the issue that’s reminiscent of Frankenstein that’s simultaneously horrific and touching. If you tend to be squeamish, you may want to avoid this book. Overall, it’s a good first issue and I look forward to seeing what’s to come in future issues.
The Art
Isaac Goodhart’s art on The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1 is very similar to Mike Allred’s work. It feels like the best Bronze Age Marvel art with a modern twist. Christopher and the other characters are drawn very expressively and when the monsters appear, they’re appropriately horrific.
Final Thoughts
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1 sets up an interesting new character and the book is a good blend of science-fiction, horror and superhero books. Recommended.
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