Dark Horse Comics 2016
Story, Art & Cover by Matt Kindt
Coloured by Sharlene Kindt
Lettered by Marie Enger
Under six miles of water, the pressure is rising. On her mission to rescue her brother, Mia encounters some of the ocean's most dangerous creatures. It seems that the more clues she uncovers about her father's murder, the more complicated the case becomes.
There is so much to like about this story it keeps going off on these seemingly random tangents that distract Mia from what she’s there to do. Even better is that Mia has known these people for ages and is now in a position that puts her at odds with them and that tension is certainly as palpable as the crushing weight of the water outside their living environment. Matt’s ability for storytelling shouldn’t amaze me any more but with each issue he seems to take me places with this story that make sit back and marvel at what he can do.
In an underwater cave as Mia searches for her brother, Raj, they encounter Sea Spiders who have the ability to mimic sound like a Parrot. It’s incredibly creepy and so disconcerting to see it unfold and that our minds can amplify that and take on that fear factor so fully thanks to what we’re seeing it makes it even worse. This is the power of good storytelling that it engages you fully.
The interiors here are so great for expressing what’s happening in the story. Aside from those Sea Spiders there’s the big Sea Turtle on the cover, which yes appears inside the story, and the way Sharlene has this bleeding/blending effect for it along with solids is just so beautiful to see. It has that water fluidity to it that just is so pretty. I have to say too the way Matt the layouts on the pages is fantastic to see it’s smartly done.
I also like that we can get the kind of storytelling and characterization that we get this issue and still further the mystery of Mia’s father’s death. With the antenna array having been damaged, was it sabotage or a sea creature we haven’t determined, they’ve had no way to talk to those topside. When things start to work out and they find a way to get in touch well that means if there is a murder down here it’s time for them to strike again.
This is a great series that is chock full of surprises. The characterization is phenomenal and the story development and progression has been an absolute joy to see. Matt is able to draw you into this story in ways that will never cease to send chills down your spine as the timeline for finding her father’s killer gets smaller.