Jonathan Hickman has taken the entire concept of mockumentary and driven it into a completely wild and uncanny direction. With the first issue of this mini-series, Hickman set up the story of two rival companies, both starting the journey into human enhancement. As members of this corporate plot are interviewed by the host of the documentary, readers learn that one company creates super powers while the other creates attachments that enhance the human body. The second issue develops the intriguing war of entrepreneurs that will have you both laughing and freaked out.

All of this unfolds before the eyes of the reader as if they were watching a documentary. That’s what separates this book from anything else on the shelves; it’s unique. Characters look head-on at the panels, almost like staring directly into the lens of a camera. The whole experience is unnerving in a very strange way. Hickman has managed to break the rule of the fourth wall in the world of comics by making Transhuman move and tell like a documentary.

The concept of one man interviewing key players in the buildup of one of the greatest corporate wars the world in subject has ever known is absolutely loony. Loony, but charming. The drive of the story is literally to find out what happens next. Hickman pushes readers through the panels with witty dialogue and absolutely hilarious situations; super-powered monkeys immediately come to mind. Through all of the dramatic, corporate, money-making banter, there exists a thin line of ridiculousness that Hickman always seems prepared to cross. Super-powered monkeys, pissed off human test subjects and angry ex-wives; they’re all here to be enjoyed.

This book is also incredibly heavy on exposition. There's a lot to be read, which, as sad as it sounds, may be a turn off for a lot of readers out there. Plenty of comic fans find it tiring and frustrating when they are trying to read the second or third in a series only to be greeted with a slew of dialogue and explanation. But that's the thing -- through all of the writing, never once did I feel taxed. Everything was just so quirky and alive that I never zoned out when flipping the page and finding nearly 1,000 words worth of talking. It just worked.

The art is no exception to the charm. JM Ringuet does a great job of capturing this feeling of otherness that Transhuman pushes across. This world is not our world; it's like nothing we've ever experienced. Ringuet's art does a great job at driving that home. It's attractive, too. The style is unique and gritty while not overbearing.

By the end of the second installment, readers of Transhuman will likely find themselves excited for the next little tidbit. The book is great. There are no ads, no interruptions, just story. The second issue even comes with a nice little mini that Hickman felt needed including. A story told with only symbols and pictures, no words. A nice, quaint, two page read. The addition feels just fine. Transhuman itself really is a great buy, and buyers won't regret the purchase. It’s a mini that's only two issues deep, I suggest you pick it up.

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