Review - The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"It's your truth against mine. Appearance against context."

The saying goes that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." There have been numerous variations of that message, but the main point is that people who don't learn from their mistakes are prone to making the same mistakes. For Teddy in The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 from IDW Publishing, she's not so much making mistakes but repeatedly finding herself in trouble doing the same thing over and over. The issue is written by Pierrick Colinet and Elsa Charretier, illustrated by Daniele Di Nicuolo, colored by Sarah Stern and lettered by Ed Dukeshire.

Twin Peaks-creepiness collides with Orwell’s 1984-dystopian madness in this sci-fi mini series, as Teddy is sent back in time in a little town where people are addicted to lies.

Both Colinet and Charretier know that messing around with time-travel is always tricky business, but they're using that premise as more of a backdrop for some deeper, interpersonal connections between characters. At the center of The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 is Teddy's relationship with Ano and there's an incomplete sense shared between the two of them--despite their seemingly blossoming love for one another. That relationship allows Colinet and Charretier to present the narrative to the reader in a way that gives the entire story a sense of rebellion. Teddy is characterized as someone determined to do what's necessary in her mind even if it's at odds with the "law." There's plenty of dialogue throughout the book by Colinet and Charretier that reinforce this notion, effectively characterizing Teddy as well as giving the reader plenty to take in from a plot standpoint.

The abundance of sharp, clean linework by Di Nicuolo is phenomenal and furthers the book's sharp take on doing the right thing. Every panel feels sufficiently weighty and charged with energy despite the otherwise minimal approach to the artwork. Those same panels are also laid out in a way that offers just as much excitement as Di Nicuolo keeps things moving on the page to match the frenetic pace of time-travel. Characters are afforded the reader's full attention both because they're illustrated so emphatically, but also because Di Nicuolo keeps things minimal in the backgrounds. Stern draws from a variety of bright, bold colors that allow every panel to stand out in its own way.

The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 picks up where The Infinite Loop in the sense that all the big players are back for more. Teddy is the driving force for the series and its her relationships with other characters that offer all the movement for the plot. Colinet and Charretier do a marvelous job of penning a script that's concise yet still manages to embellish things just a tad to keep the story fun. Di Nicuolo's artwork is simple and elegant in its approach. The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 is a great first issue that offers up just enough of everything to keep the reader engaged and wanting more.

The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 is available now.