Imagine the secrets the President of the United States has to keep from the American people. Imagine those secrets include aliens and a possible invasion. That is Letter 44.
The Oni Press comic book is one that a lot of people may have overlooked, including myself, but it’s more amazing work from Charles Soule. In addition to Soule’s writing, Letter 44 was drawn by Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque with colors by Dan Jackson, and Guy Major, plus lettering by Shawn DePasquale.
Letter 44 is the perfect mixture of political drama, aliens and mystery. On Inauguration Day, newly elected President Stephen Blades hoped to tackle the most critical issues facing the nation: war, the economy, and a failing health care system. But in a letter penned by the outgoing President, Blades learns the truth that redefines “critical”: seven years ago, NASA discovered alien presence in the asteroid belt, and kept it a secret from the world. A stealth mission crewed by nine astronauts was sent to make contact, and they’re getting close – assuming they survive the long journey to reach their destination.
The book makes you feel like you are a part of the story and not just reading it. The balance of believable politics and sci-fi fiction has you feeling at moments the book could be based on a true story until the aliens start to appear. With notes of House of Cards along with 2001: A Space Odyssey, it is a great balance.
Soule and Alburquerque bring some great ideas to the table with a book that is a slow burn but one that is made worth it with this creative team.
Big positive was the book was available at release for only one dollar. Now, Letter 44 will cost you a bit more with the news it has been optioned. In October 2021, Soule said “If there are ten steps between writing a comic and seeing it on a screen, this one’s on step five and most stuff never gets past step two, even if it’s optioned so this feels pretty great.”
We highly recommend taking some time to read Letter 44 and prepare yourself to see it on the big or small screen.
