Titan Comics 2016
Written by Si Spurrier
Illustrated by Conor Boyle
Coloured by Giulia Brusco
Lettered by Rob Steen
In the troubled waters off Somalia, a rag-tag group of marine scientists studying a pack of female great white sharks find themselves caught in a conflict between pirates and the might of the US Navy. But why is the CIA so interested in the work of the scientists? And just how will they face up to the shadowy terror of the legendary great white.
Si taps into the fear that most people have regarding Sharks. One of the best things of this however is that we see things from multiple angles here and not just humans terrified by the creature. We see the C.I.A. agents reaction to Hook Jaw and then of course there’s the scientists who have been watching the creature and finally there’s the point of view of the shark itself. Who would have thought we’d get a look from the shark? While there isn’t really thinking only some very basic urges, needs and instinct it’s still the most well rounded horror/thriller shark story that I’ve personally ever experienced.
Once again the opening shows us Earth’s top predator in action. As a ship is out there chumming water and searching for it’s prey we soon see how the hunter becomes the prey. I love this as it’s fun to see since man thinks he’s the top predator on Earth and doesn’t understand the way other creatures think. Plus Hook Jaw is unlike any other shark out there and to see that is great characterisation.
There’s a scene here that’s incredibly well done and gives us that look at the legend that is Hook Jaw. Much like Jaws the creature is supposed to be a myth, something speculated, whispered and talked about in hushed tones but never believed. It’s pretty impressive that we see that much in that one page and it certainly makes the choices the characters take moving forward more understandable.
I am very impressed with the interior artwork here. The use of page layouts with their angles, perspective and use of backgrounds help the flow of the story move smoothly. The look at the sea mammals and fish are excellently done. The people have great unique loos to them and facial expressions help with extra characterisation.
Ms Reyes finds herself in a world she knows woefully little about. To save the life of her boss and fellow scientist she must make a deal with the devil she knows to protect the devil she doesn’t. It’s a classic case really as the C.I.A. is in the region for their own reasons that with a little detective work we speculate why.
With the C.I.A. and their own interests, Pirates who have her friend and sea full of female Carcharodon Carcharias’ can Reyes find a way to survive and get out of this alive? Full of great tension, characterisation and interior artwork this will remind why the oceans are the deadliest places on Earth!