Aspen Comics 2019
Written by Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Mauricio Campetella
Coloured by Peter Steigerwald & Natalia Nesterenko
Lettered by Zen
There are two worlds, the one we know, and the one below…
Aspen Matthews rekindled her love of marine biology at the DMD II, but the arrival of Kiani, the powerful Elite Blue warrior, threatens both her livelihood and the safety of the facility and its scientists. Killian’s plan was set in motion. He freed his daughter Anika from her self-confinement, and used her rage and powers to destroy Muria, the capitol city of The Blue…
Is it possible that every iteration of the franchise has led to what I think is going to be the crowing achievement in Aspen’s story so far? This is everything that I have wanted it to be and so much more. With all the characters alive again and with an inevitable war on the horizon I feel this certain electricity from what I see that not only makes my arm hair stand up but for the first time in a long time I can’t think of what it would be like NOT to be reading Fathom!
Whether it is intentional or not I love the very cinematic nature of the book. The credits page alone with that photographic imagery of the ocean’s floor sets the stage for how we see things moving forward. The opening is sensational as we see the aftermath to the fall of Muria and the young woman who feels like the weight of the oceans is on her shoulders as a result. Her story and what she tells the council is amazing actually and that she’s next in line for Elite Commander and her ties to Aspen keep the thread of this moving forward.
The way that this is structured is utterly marvellous. Vince uses the story & plot development, it’s pacing and the character development to create this ebb & flow that keeps the reader glued to the page. I absolutely adore the fact that even when it’s simply storytelling that the dialogue and character interactions can be just as thrilling if not more so than the action sequences. It is rare to see such strong powerful writing that both defines the characters as well as set the stage fro what’s to come. The meeting between Kiani, oh how I love that woman, is the prime example of what I mean here.
The interiors here are wonderful! I love that Mauricio doesn’t try to emulate anyone else’s style and just shines with his own work. The linework is strong and sure showing a nice strong, steady hand at work. There is a beautiful display of creativity and imagination on display as well in how we see Muria and the rest of the underwater Blue domain and hell even the Black. The attention to detail that we see is amazing and that it is utilised in the backgrounds here as well really do expand the story and bring that sense of size and scope to this underwater world. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a nice eye. The colour work is so gorgeous and I love how the range of blues are utilised throughout it just that majestic and hypnotic affect.
Remember when Fathom first hit stands and how the world reacted to it? If so then you will understand how I feel once again about this run right here. It has that same feel to it and gives the reader as the very first time it debuted. For those too young to understand then well this is what it is meant to be all about, the writing with this amazing story & plot development, pacing and characterisation wrapped up in these beautiful interior pages, that capture your imagination and make you want to explore the bottom of the world’s oceans.