Astral Genesis is a science fiction graphic novel for young and new adults written by Ivan M. Cohen and Jay Magnum, and illustrated by Ariel Medel. Ten years after the disaster aboard The Venture, whose failed mission left hundreds dead, former Colonel Jonathan DeVane was now a hard-drinking day laborer. The Venture’s pilot, and DeVane’s former fiancee, Major Regina Lewis, was no longer in government service. A highly monitored and rancorous hearing at which DeVane stayed steadfastly silent had cleared the man, while infuriating Regina Lewis, and he had swiftly removed himself from her and the public’s eye. That was all soon to change, however, now that his former Lieutenant had called up his connections with the police and arranged for them to notify him if DeVane ever was arrested. He was a Lieutenant Colonel now, and he had a job that needed someone with DeVane’s skill set to do it. While it seemed like an everyday convoy job, there was really much more to it. For one thing, DeVane would be traveling with a notorious Russian hacker and escape artist being transported in shackles -- and that was just the beginning.

Astral Genesis is an intricate alien invasion story that is presented in an outstanding graphic format. The authors’ characters are larger than life, exactly how comic and graphic novel heroes should be portrayed, and following DeVane as he battles foes from within the government, the private sector and beyond the stars is grand fun indeed. The artwork and inking are glorious! Each panel captured my attention, and they sync effortlessly with the story. Cohen and Magnum's characters are well defined and credible super-action figures. The plot is original and filled with twists and surprises. This well-written and entertaining graphic novel is highly recommended.

Astral Genesis is a graphic novel with a science fiction theme, and was created and largely written by Jay Magnum, with adaptations by Ivan M Cohen and art from Ariel Medel, amongst others. The story is set in the near future of Earth when the alien threat known as Astrals intends to bring about the final doomsday. Our only hope lies in the hands of Jonathan DeVane, a former astronaut now living in disgrace and relative exile. DeVane attracts fellow underdogs to join his crew on a suicidal and reckless mission to save Earth, or possibly to discover that it is inevitably doomed anyway.

Author and creator Jay Magnum presents a fabulously exciting tale in the style of many popular rag-tag heroes' stories, but with a thrilling science fiction twist that brings new drama to every page. Hero Jonathan DeVane is a true anti-hero, reluctantly pulling himself together against the odds to try to do something to redeem himself from past disgraces. I also particularly liked Jeannie and Rob for their interesting skill sets, and how they dealt with the issues of their own pasts alongside the main plot.

The panels are superbly well arranged and laid out almost cinematically, with great adaptation by Ivan M Cohen that brings cohesion to the reading experience. Above all else, however, Ariel Medel and the art team bring edgy visuals in explosive colours, illuminating space and all its monsters for readers, which really brings it all to life. I would highly recommend Astral Genesis to all science fiction graphic novel readers.