Comics

Review: ‘Undertow’ #1

Published

10 years ago

February 21, 2014

“Undertow” is billed as a “new pulp monster series” but it’s clear very early on in this first issue that it’s indeed a very shrewd look at our current socio-politic climate skillfully disguised as a pulp monster series. This is a statement comic that’s mixed with a spoonful of kickass sugar.

WRITTEN BY: Steve Orlando 
ART BY: Artyom Trakhanov
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99 
RELEASE: February 19, 2014

The first issue of “Undertow” kicks off mid-action, dropping us in the middle of a battle between the militia of Atlantis and a rebellion. Atlantis is a world superpower—bloated, greedy, lots of first-world problems. Sound familiar? Orlando himself described his version of Atlantis as “fat and rich, an enormous metropolis driven by self interest and materialism.” So when Redum Anshargal, the leader of the Rebellion offers a young Atlantean, Ukinni Alal, the chance to join him and fight the corruption of Atlantis, Ukinni’s leaves his cushy existence behind.

The Rebellion lives aboard a watertight city barge called The Deliverer. They are currently on the hunt for an Amphibian in order to find a way to breathe air on land (they are confined to water helmets when not under water). In their minds, this is the way to complete freedom. It’s clear that this is a setup for a much larger problem and probably a realization that what they thought was freedom was only a start.

Initially it appears that “Undertow” is set in a prehistoric world, before caveman developed into Man. But upon further consideration, it’s quite possible that “Undertow” is set in the present or even future, and it’s an alternate reality in which Man never came to be. Atlantis is the evolved culture, and humanity is still nothing more than uncivilized beasts.

This comic flawlessly showcases an interesting juxtaposition of a high fantasy world we are completely unfamiliar with and a way of life we are immersed in. Orlando takes familiar aspects of our 21st century life like war, rebellions, and terrorism and mixes them with staples of the Millennial Generation. Things like overbearing parents, over privileged children, impossible political and career expectations, and even sneaking alcohol from your parent’s stash to get blotto on the weekends, to create a hyper-real existence that makes this fantasy realm feel eerie in its authenticity.

I’m impressed with Orlando’s ability to leave so many aspects uncertain without the reader feeling lost. For example, I’m not entirely sure whether or not the Rebellion is a good or bad thing. And it is not totally clear if Redum Anshargal has pure motives. Is he a hero? Antihero? Villain? While I am leaning toward Antihero, part of me feels like the rug could be pulled out from underneath us at any moment.

Intended to be a somewhat exaggerated mirror of our modern life and our modern consolations, “Undertow” definitely sets out to make the reader think. But it also sets out to entertain. This is a brilliantly crafted and illustrated comic. The pacing is quick but relentless and the characters are extremely multifaceted. Aside from any agenda, the comic stands strong on its own as a dystopian fantasy adventure.

4.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Bree Ogden

Lonnie Nadler

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

Published

7 days ago

April 18, 2024

Meagan Navarro

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.