Zenescope Entertainment 2016
Written by Joe Tyler
Illustrated by Carlos Granda
Coloured by Jorge Cortes
Lettered by Fabio Amelia
For decades the U.S. Government has covered up the existence of dozens of species of dangerous creatures that the have been captured over the years. After building a small, secretive city on a remote island in the Pacific, these monsters were transported there to be studied.
In 2012, disaster struck and the island was evacuated. Now the inmates have taken over, and the different species fight for control within the city walls. However, something extremely valuable was left behind on the island and the only way to recover it is to send an elite mercenary unit into the most dangerous place in the world…..Monster Island.
This is a perfect example of how the direction of the company has been going in re-establishing them as one of the world’s most interesting horror creators. By utilizing an elite mercenary unit into creatures that already exist throughout the company’s vast array of characters both seen and new to us we get this whole new feeling like it’s done by the fine folks at SyFy, series wise not movies. There’s an excitement and electricity to this first issue that really comes across.
It’s really quite simple when you think about it too, the Island is scheduled to be destroyed but before that can happen Dr. Bennett needs research left on the Island when she evacuated. So in comes this elite mercenary unit that isn’t prepared for what they are facing regardless of what they personally think. This hits every hallmark needed to tell one hell of a great monster/horror story. Not only that but it fits beautifully into the realm of the Zenescope Universe and their line of books. Even better is that it’s done with intelligence, great writing, strong characterization and without the obligatory half naked chicks running around.
The interior artwork here is utterly fantastic! It’s very clean, crisp and incredibly well detailed and brings us not only a sense of classic comic books but it also creates that whole air of unease that is intended to really help get under the reader’s skin. The use of pages and panel layouts highlight not only the artwork but a real sense of perspective, creativity and imagination that brings this to life so incredibly well. I mean the monsters on this Island that we get to see here really do take your breath away and are on par with anything from Jurassic Park/World.
I think that Joe has been able to flesh out the team the way he has here in a short amount of time is perfectly done. In all honesty this is the kind of introduction where those who survive are the ones that need to be spotlighted again as another Island is created and new monsters are needed to be captured. The way the story is paced is fantastic for a limited series, it’s fast and furious with ample time for defining moments, key plot points and characterization to be utilized.
Fun, exciting and the right kind of action/adventure and horror blended together to thrill everyone!