Insane Comics
Created & Written by Kelly Bender
Penciled by Michy Kahuya
Inked by Jeff Graham
Coloured by Matt James
Lettered by Micah Myers
Welcome to a world where the majority is underwater. Very few land masses remain on the surface and there are three dominant species that rule under the oceans. Unfortunately they tend to be at war with one another more often than not. Each thinking they have the right to rule or exist more than the others. Three species of very different temperament and with their own unique body modifications that allow them to be the best they can be.
Kelly is a really good writer and he opens up with a little overview of the world. I loved seeing this blue planet. There’s something gorgeous about a the idea of a water world and how it’s like this was a photograph transposed into artwork, see mixed media, and it’s really nice to see.
Very quickly we see an ambush taking place and we get a very good, up close and personal look at two of these species of Aquiads. From this encounter I can see three very distinct personalities, the warrior, the middle and the pacifist being what each race is more prone to. I like it, it makes sense and this leaves characterization opportunities open for different folks to go against the grain if you will.
Speaking of characterization we do get a very nice look at whom i’m going to assume is to play a major role in the series, Mivik. Royal bodyguard, trusted member of the court, Captain of men under his command and in love with the King’s daughter, the girl he bodyguards. He’s interesting and I like him and he’s a very sharp cookie, while he doesn’t take thrill from killing his enemies he doesn’t shy away from it either, after it’s kill or be killed under the ocean’s depths. He does however start off the story adding intrigue to the mix that seems to set off a chain of events throughout the races that will continue to flesh out this world as the story continues.
The interior artwork is okay. No clothing no problem, barbie parts however really okay modesty I guess to keep this from being a mature title. Clothing could’ve been used in that case. Fish people who are more people than fish meh I wish they had more of an Aquatic nature about them. The faces and the fins are a nice start but it should have been taken further from human to fish. The underwaterness of this makes it harder for backgrounds I suppose, though sea life and such could be seen swimming around. It flows okay and the species have a nice difference in appearance. It is very much an self/indie published artwork we’ve seen better, I’ve seen worse.
It’s the story by Kelly though that makes up for it and the ending well hello nurse that was a nice shocker. I hadn’t seen that coming and well now that I have i’m more anxious to see what’s in store next. He does a great job setting up the world, conflict, intrigue and even a bit of potential romance and it’s a fun look at an underwater world.