Descender and Ascender vol 1 by Jeff Lemire

Illustrated by Dustin Ngyuen

As Descender starts out, we are plopped into the middle of a  gigantic sentient robots, quite a bit larger than planets, destroying hundreds of thousands of people across the United Galactic Council.  Then, we flash forward ten years.  Robot-kind are no longer allowed.  Whole planets have dedicated themselves to the destruction of androids.  Then, on a deserted mining outpost, TIM-21 suddenly reactivates.  He has to piece together what happened to his brother and his mother, but he also holds the key to helping the UGC understand the giant "Harvesters" and why the wiped out so many people.  Mix in some more intrigue, a planet full of robots, the possibility of "Robot Heaven," space battles, and much more, and you have yourself a seat-of-your-chair sci-fi action-adventure.

---

I was originally introduced to this series because I read a synopsis of Ascender that sounded great (because let's face it, I am a sucker for fantasy), but it literally starts with "set 10 years after the events of Descender, so I had to start there, of course!  I found this series to be wholly enjoyable and a welcome detour from reading Ascender.  I even found some magic, as one planet is rife with it!  At first, I detested Queen Between, a woman who is slowly replacing her human parts for robot parts to become more mechanized, but she definitely grew on me and became one of my favorite characters.  Her interactions with Andy, TIM-21's brother, were great and an interesting commentary into the use of "dead-names" after people undergo transformations.  

There is some cursing, bloody violence, and one adult scene (no bodily bits are shown, there a several panels, but I've honestly seen worse on basic channel TV shows).  Image rates this title as 18+, and the only reason I can think of is because of a fairly gory moment where someone gets their arm table-sawed off, or perhaps for the one adult scene.  Image may be playing it safe by rating this for 18+, but you probably won't find this in the "Mature" section of your local comic book store.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability level: Grades 11th-12th

Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: High School, Comicbooks, Science Fiction, Action Adventure

Vol 1: Tin Stars
Vol 2: Machine Moon
Vol 3: Singularities
Vol 4: Orbital Mechanics
Vol 5: Rise of the Robots
Vol 6:  Machine War

---

Vol 1: The Haunted Galaxy
​
Illustrated by Dustin Ngyuen
​
Ascender follows ten years after the events that ended Descender, and for the sake of no spoilers, I will have to be brief here.  The story follows Mila on the planet Sampson.  Somewhere in the ten years between the two series, the magic that is introduced in the middle of the Descender​ series becomes the strong force that rules the galaxy.  Robots are 100% forbidden, and any spells that are tripped by tech result in immediate visitation by Mother's minions (and probably death).  TIM-21 and Andy's robotic dog Bandit shows up and trips all of those spells! Mila and her family must run from Mother's forces and keep Bandit safe!

The first volume is the only one out currently, but I have to say that this version of the universe is just as intriguing as the science-fiction-laden world in Descender.  Based on the set up in volume one, I can see some of the groundwork for how the sci-fi and fantasy will intertwine into a fascinating adventure for our girl Mila.

There is some cursing so far, but that's about it for volume one. 

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability level: 11th-12th grade

Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: High School, Comicbooks, Science Fiction, Action Adventure, Magic 

---