Titan Comics 2015
Written & Illustrated by Jay Gunn
The ‘Sea Sickness’ swept the world. 99% of the world’s human population walked into the sea, drawn by mysterious coral structures. There, they dissolved. Two people – Megumi Suzuki and Ryan Fisher – just walked out of the ocean – the first ever to return. They resurfaced on the coast of the tiny island of Breith, home to a fragile community of survivors. Their skin now completely blue, a possible side-effect of the Sickness, the pair remember nothing of their past. The secret of their return is locked up in their memories and veins. The islanders, led by Jean Cassel and Mary Maybel, have quarantined them until they can be sure they are not a threat. But Ryan and Megumi did not return alone... Something far more monstrous also washed ashore…
We open with the creature that came back with Ryan and Megumi as it searches for them. It’s here with the purpose of reconnecting the flesh only those it is finding aren’t compatible they are free of the sickness. It’s like now that the pair have separated from the sea it’s trying to reclaim them as if they are integral to it’s continual existence. While this creature is horrific to be sure it looks as if it will continue it’s search until it’s able to find Ryan and Megumi leaving death in it’s wake.
Moving on to Megumi who seems to be talking to someone wearing a mask. These are Megumi’s memories of her youth when there was a chemical problem at a plant her parents worked at and in some way it could be related to what’s happening now. Further exploration of this seems to be in order and the mysterious figure connected to the Coral and Megumi and his fear of certain memories that may be more dangerous than we realize. This connection to the Coral is fascinating and we’ve had a clue last issue who this could be but until that is confirmed well it’s going to remain a mystery.
Megumi’s chat with Mary has some interesting connotations to it. It really does raise some interesting questions and points about who or what this intelligent organism is here to help. The idea that it considers humans and infestation and is here to help cleanse the planet makes for fascinating stuff to think about. After all as a species we’ve done to destroy this planet in the shortest amount of time possible. Then switching to Shauna and Ryan and their conversation and what they are going through now and then really fleshes them out. Their experiences and his recalling old memories have a strange effect on him.
Jay has done something special here he’s taken this unique extermination event and given it a different twist and he’s writing and illustrating it so that everything we see and read is exactly what he wants it to be. Not only is his writing very well crafted with great characterization and interesting plotting but his interior artwork is gorgeous. It’s wonderful to see a person be so diverse in what they are able to do when bringing their own words to life with such expressive and emotional artwork. His imagination is something I highly recommend everyone experience for themselves.
Original, fascinating and slightly creepy this series showcases the imagination on steroids.