Academy Award–winning filmmaker and critically acclaimed comic book writer John Ridley (The Other History of the DC Universe, I Am Batman) delivers a bold, new vision of science fiction with MINISTRY OF COMPLIANCE.
Thirty-seven years ago, Earth was secretly invaded by an alien force known as the Devolution, and they have been shaping the direction humanity has been going in ever since to prepare us to be assimilated into their empire. The Devolution has thirteen ministries, each responsible for manipulating a different aspect of human life. The Ministry of Compliance, the most feared of all the ministries, led by the fierce Avigail Senna, makes sure all the ministries stay in line and remain focused on the Devolution’s mission. As it appears the Ministry’s mission is on the verge of being completed and Earth will be assimilated, things begin to go terribly wrong, and a conspiracy among the ministries breaks out that Avigail must deal with head-on.
The beginning of comics’ next sci-fi epic in this oversized debut issue from John Ridley and acclaimed artist Stefano Raffaele (The Joker, GCPD: The Blue Wall)!
- 90
COMICON
This alien conspiracy thriller gives readers plenty of intrigue and action in its first issue. Strong artwork and some restrained colors keep the story of a secret alien invasion moving along. - 90
Nerd Initiative
If there is one way to bring someone into a new world it is how the team does it with issue #1. A mix of violence and intrigue leaves you in awe wondering just what comes next in the story. An alien species invading Earth alone is enough to bring me into this world but, when you add explosive action and the threat of a spy thriller then if you aren’t picking this up you are sorely missing out. Be warned this issue is not for those with a weak stomach, Avigail is here and she is not playing around. - 85
Graphic Policy
The Ministry of Compliance #1 is another intriguing series from Ridley. There’s potential here for a hell of an epic and one that’ll be packed with details and worldbuilding. As a start, it should suck in those that enjoy sci-fi that’ll make you think mixed with a little John Wick action. It’s another excellent release that shows off Ridley’s talents that we need more of in comics. - 80
AIPT
For what it is, The Ministry of Compliance #1 is really very good. But, in the end, it is much more a conspiracy-filled political/espionage thriller rather than a social commentary framed in an alien invasion story. At almost 50 pages, there is plenty of interesting plot-development and twists. Furthermore, the writing and art are good enough to keep me intrigued. Unfortunately, I’m just not sure that it’s really what I was hoping for when I originally heard about the premise. - 50
Major Spoilers
The Ministry of Compliance #1 is a comic of many genres, but it’s not particularly good at any of them. But it’s also not really bad at them either. There are things to enjoy here, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that I’m intrigued to see where this goes. Some pacing issues and poor character development hamstring this issue though and keep it from being as good as it could’ve been. - 40
ComicBook.com
The Ministry of Compliance #1 offers readers a nearly 60-page introduction to a new sci-fi tale of global conquest and alien bureaucracy for an outstanding price, but what's contained within those pages doesn't offer much confidence in the series' premise or execution. It contains a sound structure that capably introduces an alien conspiracy composed of various ministries determined to harvest Earth's resources with a wide range of characters and motives; that alone merits acknowledgement. Yet the aliens are all portrayed as interchangeable, suit-wearing cogs and their meetings take place largely in generic board rooms. There's very little on the page to evoke a sense of wonder or strangeness, and the violence is largely interchangeable with current superhero fare. Although the concept and thematic ties to mixed-identity status are clear, there's no hook to be found to make these alien conquerors sympathetic or particularly intriguing. Ultimately, The Ministry of Compliance #1 reads like an illustrated script designed for screens and budgets lacking in the visual aplomb that makes sci-fi stories in comics so appealing. It's a disappointment that never answers the question why all of this grandiose plotting looks so dull on the page.
