This Sci-Fi Indie Comic is a Must-Read For Fans Of This Iconic Director

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Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark revolutionized science fiction film in 1968 with their groundbreaking movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. That same year, Franklin J. Schaffner’s Planet of the Apes also debuted, making 1968 a pivotal year for the genre and influencing countless filmmakers since. Recently, in 2022, comic book author Jeff Lemire created a sequel that many consider worthy of the original, though it didn’t receive widespread attention.

Calling 2001: A Space Odyssey simply ‘important’ doesn’t quite capture how much it influenced science fiction and popular culture. It’s been referenced and paid tribute to in everything from The Simpsons to the recent Barbie movie, and it essentially defined how artificial intelligence is portrayed in movies and TV. For sixty years, filmmakers and artists have tried to recreate the feeling of seeing it for the first time, and Jeff Lemire’s 2022 comic series, Primordial, comes closest to achieving that.

Stanley Kubrick’s Profound Impact on Science Fiction, Explained

Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark collaborated in 1968 to create the iconic science fiction film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. The movie begins with the discovery of a mysterious black monolith on early Earth, which seems to inspire the development of tools in early humans. The story then jumps to the future, where another monolith is found on the Moon, and a third appears near Jupiter. This prompts a mission aboard the starship Discovery One to investigate. Most of the crew are in suspended animation, but Frank Poole and Dave Bowman remain awake to navigate, assisted by the advanced computer system, HAL 9000.

After a breakdown in HAL 9000’s programming, the computer turns against astronauts Poole and Bowman. Realizing HAL has become dangerous, the astronauts try to shut him down, leading to a tense and secretive struggle. When it came out, the film was groundbreaking, moving away from the cheesy science fiction of the 1950s and early 60s. It wasn’t focused on action, but instead created a suspenseful, psychological thriller set in space, often prioritizing the exploration of artificial intelligence over the broader story.

The final act of 2001: A Space Odyssey moved beyond a simple thriller, becoming a strange and psychedelic journey through space. For about half an hour, director Stanley Kubrick abandoned traditional storytelling, taking viewers on an inexplicable trip through space and time with astronaut Dave Bowman. Kubrick later said this sequence represented the attempt by advanced beings to create a new environment for Bowman, ultimately returning him to Earth as a highly evolved being. However, when the film was first released, this section was completely baffling and left audiences struggling for years to make sense of it. In 2022, Jeff Lemire created a similar, mind-bending experience for science fiction fans.

Jeff Lemire’s Primordial is the Perfect Continuation for 2001: A Space Odyssey

Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino created the incredibly imaginative sci-fi comic Primordial for Image Comics in 2022. The story is set in a 1960s that never was, and centers around Russia’s launch of Laika the dog into space, and the subsequent loss of communication. In America, NASA attempts to cover up its own program after a similar incident. This leads MIT scientist Pembrook to uncover a troubling mystery. Meanwhile, Yelena Yostrovic, the Russian scientist behind the Laika mission, discovers a strange phenomenon in space, eventually leading her to join forces with Pembrook.

This series brilliantly blends science fiction and alternate history, imagining a Cold War dramatically changed by the discovery of alien intelligence. It’s a captivating mix of thoughtful sci-fi and thrilling espionage, and has the potential to become a hidden gem. Good, non-superhero science fiction comics are hard to find, but Primordial truly delivers.

As a huge fan of 2001: A Space Odyssey, I’ve always been fascinated by what’s come after. There have been a few tries to continue the story, either directly with sequels like 2010: The Year We Make Contact, or in spirit, like with Interstellar. That film just feels like a tribute to Kubrick’s masterpiece. Then there’s Primordial, which is interesting because it feels like something Stanislaw Lem – the author who inspired 2001 – could have imagined happening within that same universe, but it still manages to be its own unique story.

Throughout the 2010s, Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino became a celebrated comic book team, known for their work on titles like Gideon Falls, Old Man Logan, and The Bone Orchard Mythos. Their series Primordial feels like the peak of their collaboration – a story with the potential to become a truly memorable science fiction film. The comic enjoys presenting complex ideas and imagery without over-explaining, encouraging readers to interpret the story for themselves.

The Influence of Stanley Kubrick on Jeff Lemire’s Work is Undeniable

Primordial is both a clear homage to the mysterious atmosphere of 2001: A Space Odyssey and a compelling story that stands on its own. Like Grant Morrison, Jeff Lemire creates science fiction that you feel rather than fully comprehend. The enjoyment comes from stories that challenge readers to piece things together and interpret the ending for themselves—and even thrive on ambiguity. This willingness to leave things open to interpretation is a key part of what makes being a Lemire fan so rewarding, especially when considering his 2022 collaboration with Sorrentino.

Jeff Lemire is known for his skill at creating tension and suspense, much like Stanley Kubrick in his comics. He often leans into the strange and unexplainable aspects of science fiction, crafting stories that push readers to think creatively. Inspired by classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as old superhero comics and pulp sci-fi, Lemire builds distinctive worlds, most notably his Black Hammer universe. While Black Hammer is well-known, his series Primordial didn’t get much attention, particularly because it was released when the comics industry was still struggling with the effects of COVID-19 shutdowns.

Jeff Lemire’s tendency to explore unusual themes in comics can be a double-edged sword. While stories like Primordial are interesting and fun, they don’t reach the same broad audience as mainstream heroes like Spider-Man or Batman, or even titles like Black Hammer. Despite some readers claiming they want challenging art, most still prefer stories with clear resolutions. Primordial deliberately avoids this, leaving readers with unanswered questions. However, through his work, Lemire consistently demonstrates his talent for science fiction.

Jeff Lemire joins a distinguished group of creators – including Steven Spielberg, Grant Morrison, and Jack Kirby – who have been influenced by the science fiction of Stanley Kubrick. Like Kubrick’s 2001, Lemire’s work hints at deeper meanings without being overly complicated or feeling unfinished. This subtle storytelling style is rare today, but Lemire’s Primordial proves it’s still possible. That’s why anyone tired of typical superhero comics should check out this excellent, yet often overlooked, 2022 miniseries.

The Post-Interstellar World Saw the Resurgence of Unusual Science Fiction

After Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar came out in 2014, science fiction films started exploring more complex and unusual ideas. For a long time, sci-fi had been mostly about simple action, but movies like Annihilation, Arrival, and the Dune series brought back thoughtful stories, detailed worlds, and mind-bending concepts. Similar to the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, these films aren’t necessarily meant to be fully understood—they’re meant to be experienced. Reading Primordial evokes that same feeling, leaving you to appreciate the story’s mystery and intrigue.

The writer is known for creating excellent, yet often overlooked, comic book series like Animal Man and Swamp Thing: Green Hell. While comic readers widely celebrate his Black Hammer world, his work Primordial deserves similar praise from fans of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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2026-03-27 00:20