Numbercruncher

From the smash-hit writer behind X-Men Legacy! Dying young, a brilliant Mathematician discovers a way to cheat the terrifying Divine Calculator. He schemes to be endlessly reincarnated in the life of the woman he loves, no matter how often the violent bailiffs of the Karmic Accountancy cut short each life. It falls to one such Karmic agent - the surly Bastard Zane - to put a stop to the time-twisting romance once and for all, before the Mathematician can pull-off his greatest trick and escape Existential Justice forever!

Numbercruncher provides a fresh, new look into the afterlife.  According to this series, numbers and equations are what life is all about, so it would only make sense that a calculator is the one calling the shots (and I don’t be the electronic kind).  However, the afterlife isn’t the main focus of this story, but rather a love so powerful that it defies the rules of the great equation itself.  A mathematician named Richard Thyme has figured out a loophole in the Karmic contract that can essentially allow himself to be reborn indefinitely.  Richard loves this girl, Jessica Reed, so much that he’s willing to endure countless lifetimes just to be with her, if only for a few moments.

I kind of like the idea of the afterlife being likened to an infinite accountant’s office.  It’s not all about spirituality, but numbers and equations and if you’re smart enough like Richard, then you can manipulate your re-incarnation the way you want.  Seeing death in this sense, kind of makes things a little easier to accept and that’s it’s not just oblivion, but something a bit more tangible.  PJ Holden gave the book a nice throwback vibe to it with his linework.  An interesting read to say the least, although it does drag a bit by about the third issue of this collected set.  A lot of Bastard Zane recanting all of the different incarnations of Richard he’s run into, which could be fun for some, but I just wanted the series to get on with it already.

Si Spurrier has created something truly unique here with this death-defying (literally) love story. If you’re looking for a bit of romance in your life with a fantastical twist, then look no further than Numbercruncher. Apparently math really does make the world go ‘round. So, don’t wait another lifetime to pick up your copy today. For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Titan Comics website, or the Titan Comics Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.