5 out of 5

I have to admit, I initially felt kind of screwed when reading the description of this compilation, as it is, mostly, just that: A re-presentation of the war flashbacks from Rust, Royden Lepp’s amazing several volume study of the cryptic, battery-driven Jet and his attempts at achieving some type of forgiveness while working for and with the descendants of some of his wartime associates. I’ve actually – sorry – already spoiled some of the story by explaining that, and part of Rust’s joy is absolutely how Lepp manages to do a slow history reveal without it feeling manipulative.  Part of the key to that is each volume’s starting pages, which are flashback, and which only gain context as things go along.

So if you have the original volumes, then why buy this “prequel” volume?  Ah, ’cause there’s new material, of course.  Hence why I felt screwed.  But here’s the interesting news: While this collection is being released, in part, in prep for the series’ (I believe) concluding volume, the end of this book also announces a 2016 date for the first volume, which makes me think they’re doing softcover re-releases of the books.  Doesn’t reading the entry ruin things, then, since the experience within was originally divided up?  Well, having not read the series as such, I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think so.  I actually think it works both ways – and I can confirm, god dammit, that my reading order has enriched the whole thing – which is sincerely amazing, and I think speaks to Lepp’s skills in construction, and the richness of character and world he built.

For new readers, this pre-amble gives you a gripping footing into the Rust world of science and morality and history and honor while not spoiling the story’s true heft, which is absolutely the present-day portion that take up most of the main series’ pages.

For seasoned readers, having these bits and pieces properly sequenced and linked makes the story they tell that much stronger, and enhances what we’ve learned and (probably) felt while reading what follows.  To Archaia and Repp’s eternal credit, they’ve done this right, removing the title pages where they originally appeared and (I think) cleaning up the art a bit so it truly looks like one seamless story.  There’s also a worthwhile, if brief, interview with Repp that sells me on his being a good guy and a good story-teller.

So I know I’m your sole source of determining where to spend your moneys, and you undoubtedly hesitated on this purchase as I did, then came here for help.  Hit the ‘buy’ button, you fool.