Closer [Paperback]

Antony Johnston (Author), Mike Norton (Author), Leanne Buckley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2004

Thirty years ago a government experiment went horribly wrong, leaving one scientist dead and several injured. Project Hermes should have signaled a triumph of humanity - the discovery of true quantum teleportation. Instead it was deemed a failure, cancelled, and covered up. Forgotten by everyone - everyone except Graham Butcher. After devoting his life to the completion of Project Hermes the reclusive physicist is now dying, penniless and bitter. But not before the Project is completed. Tonight, Butcher has invited six people to his home, each with a different connection to his failed trial. Together they will ignite a new age, rising from the ashes of a past they all would rather forget. A man's dream will become reality, while an ancient evil will be rustled from a centuries old slumber.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Read About Comics:

"Antony Johnston's script for Closer has everything I'm looking for in a horror novel; rich atmosphere, creepy ideas, and surprises lurking around the corner when I least expect them. Early on I thought I knew what was going on with Closer, but Johnston is careful to keep from letting you really know everything that's happening in his story. The end result is that the uncertainties keep just enough a mystery that you've got to find out what happens next, even though you just know that what might be waiting for you is going to be disaster for the characters."

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Oni Press (July 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929998813
• ISBN-13: 978-1929998814
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,336,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Antony Johnston is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of comics, graphic novels, video games and books, with titles including Wasteland, Daredevil, Dead Space, Julius, and Frightening Curves. He has also adapted books by bestselling novelist Anthony Horowitz, collaborated with comics legend Alan Moore, and reinvented Marvel's flagship character Wolverine for manga. His titles have been translated throughout the world and optioned for film. He lives and works in England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Science and Sorcery of Quantum Physics, January 21, 2005

By 

Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Closer (Paperback)

Quantum physics indicates that quantum teleportation should be possible. A team of scientists were working on the idea thirty years ago. All was going well until they were finally ready to test the process on a human subject. The subject died and the project, named Hermes, was shutdown and abandoned. The scientists disbanded and refused to ever mention the project again.

But a young lab technician saw possibilities and stole the research notes. After spending his life, health and fortune of the project, now named Thoth, he has invited to original team to his island estate where he plans to reveal the truth of the project and how it really works.

One of the scientists has died and her daughter arrives in her place. Soon the scientist realize who their host is and what he has done. They are very afraid. That is when the true horror begins. Butcher teleports himself but an accident leaves him in between. A place and state that alows him to exact vengeance on the others.

Now it is a race against time to understand what is going on and to stay alive and maybe, just maybe, put and end to the horror.

A fast moving tale deeply rooted in Egyptian mythology (hence the name Thoth). Mythology and quantum physics colide in a believable manner that helps keep the creepiness of the horror at a peak. The ending was believable and not a disappointment. It should prove an entertaining read for anyone who enjoys a mix of science and sorcery.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Instead of buying Closer - purchase a Neil Gaiman or Mike Mignolia book, January 9, 2007

By 

K. M. Peters "Bibliophile" (Toledo, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Closer (Paperback)

I purchased the graphic novel "Closer" after reading Mr. Koppel's synopsis:

A fast moving tale deeply rooted in Egyptian mythology that helps keep the creepiness of the horror at a peak. The ending was believable and not a disappointment. It should prove an entertaining read for anyone who enjoys a mix of science and sorcery.

In fact the ending was a complete disappointment. This novel was anything but entertaining. Its plot was contrived supported by a group of lackluster characters. With this kind of character development no one cares if they get killed - albeit in horrible mind-numbing fashion. The biggest flaw in this novel is its pacing. Actions occur strangely without even the glimmer of furtive meaning. They fail to crescendo toward anything resembling a climax.

I enjoy science and sorcery but I did not enjoy this novel. Stick with Neil Gaiman or Mike Mignolia if you're interested in reading a book with a plot, sincere characters, and great pace.