
Image Comics 2016
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Djibril Morissette-Phan
Coloured by K. Michael Russell
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Back Matter by Holly Raychelle Hughes
Dang I have to say now that I’ve finished this issue I’ve got to say that there really was no other way this could have played out. From the beginning this creature that rose from the sea and took over Farrah’s body has been using her skin for it’s own purposes. Yes it used Farrah’s own desires and insecurities to fuel its own actions. It’s obvious that this creature is a predator and it’s actions show this off beautifully.
One of the things that I really like about Jim’s writing is that he tells the story at his own pace. It seems like Farrah is the first chapter and person to come across this thing from the deep and while we have no idea what it is or where it comes from it’s the actions it takes that really define it. So it’s like he’s establishing what these creatures are capable of and after seeing what it can do i’m slightly more terrified than ever of what could still happen.
Detective Rahal knew something about Farrah wasn’t right and he’s kept on her throughout the story and now we get to see him see his own suspicions come to fruition in ways beyond his imagination. Plus let’s not forget there’s something about her son now that may raise questions as well. I mean instinctively he knew his mother wasn’t his mother anymore and he referred her and to himself as monsters so what does that mean? The more answers we get the more questions remain and that is how to keep up the intrigue while concluding a certain angle that’s happening.
The piece de resistance of the issue definitely has that desired effect. It’s one of those moments that you’ll never forget and how it was orchestrated and executed well it really is so over the top incredible. Not just because of the moment itself though that alone is worth the price of admission but it also is a kind of evolution of what this thing can do. If it can do this than what chance does humanity have if these creatures decide to come en masse?
Djibril’s work on the interiors here has been pretty amazing. The use of page layouts through angles and perspective have been extremely well done. The imagination and creativity in bringing this thing to life has been utterly marvelous. That it looks like things that are familiar and yet distorted to create that horrific feel really hits home. The mood, tone and feel of the book has the right duality of innocence and horror that are needed to really have such a massive impact on the reader. Plus Michael’s colouring just finishes it all off nicely and there are just some great moments you wouldn’t get without his work.
There’s this great seamless transition between normal everyday life and sheer abject terror that Jim brings to this. It’s wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated tale of power, greed and loss that turns deadly.