Technology is everywhere these days, but what if you were to tell a story from within that technology? Well, that is exactly the premise for Andi Ewington and Matt Woodley’s hi-tech adventure series Overrun, which centres around a group of ragtag ‘files’ out to save their CPU from a deadly virus. So is this tech-heavy tale a vital update to the world of comics, or does it need to be sent to the recycle bin.

Publisher: Treemondo
Writer: Andi Ewington, Matt Woodley
Artist: Paul Green
Price: £1.99/$2.99 (each) from weareoverrun.com

Our rating: [star_rating=”4.5″]

The story of Overrun is set in a standard computer of a standard office where courier Cooper is robbed of his ticket and his memories while travelling the information super highway to deliver an email. Now, on the run from SPAM files, Cooper ends up in Arcadia Falls, where he unwittingly unleashes a destructive virus, hellbent on destroying the world’s core – the CPU. But with the help of an eclectic band of rogue files, as well as two members of the home security services, they must find a way to save their city before it is Overrun by the devastating virus!

Overrun has a truly unique feel thanks to Andi Ewington and Matt Woodley’s superbly original world-building. This allows them to tell a genuinely exciting story that is difficult to put down once you begin. The world of Overrun uses many familiar tropes and terms from the world of computing and technology to create a book full of geeky easter eggs and humorous tech references, from the characters being named after filetypes to smaller touches like the pub being called “The Scroll Bar” (and being run by Tapper the barman) or the city’s customs being the SPAM filter.

The lead characters are also homages to familiar tech and pop culture names such as kick ass gunslinger Lucy (or should that be Lara!), Snake-Eyes inspired ninja Shogun, and Pepe the French tech genius who could have been an Italian plumber in another life. Then of course there’s Sarge, a video game star in the world of Overrun, which in a nice twist, sees him as the struggling star of a reality TV show (Overrun’s top form of entertainment) and of course the pursuing government agents Norton and McAfee.

Thanks to this familiarity with our characters alter egos, they are immediately recognisable and very likeable, however it does mean they are slightly underdeveloped. This relative lack of depth is where Overrun suffers as it feels a bit slow getting off the ground and you struggle to care about Cooper’s plight. However, this is soon forgotten as the story evolves into an exciting, action packed zombie/video game/good vs evil mashup of a story, rather than just a collection of in-jokes.

Perhaps even more accomplished than the world building is Paul Green’s art which feels like it could be lifted straight from a ’00s Wildstorm book produced by J Scott Campbell, or Jim Lee. With sharp, crisp lines and slick digital colouring the production values are second to none and the anime infused style helps to bring the highly polished computerised world of Arcadia Falls to life. Every panel is packed full of detail especially in Sarge’s beach landing scenes or the fluid-like introduction of the virus Grimes. The outlandish character depictions blend perfectly with the over the top personalities and antics to create a book that is up there with any Big Two book on sale at the moment in terms of finish.

Despite a slow burn in issue one, Overrun’s four issue run is filled from cover to cover with gorgeous, colourful art and a frenetic, action packed story in a deeply layered and immersive world. The final panel queries if there will be a continue and if you pick up this book, you’ll looking for the coins in your pockets to hit start and do just that.