American Mythology Productions 2016
Written by Mike Wolfer
Illustrated by Giancarlo Caracuzzo
Coloured by Flavia Caracuzzo
Lettered by Natalie Jane
They have found the fabled island continent of Caspak… And now, they might be buried there! Abby Tyler and her research team face an unfathomable scenario: Somehow, they have traveled back in time and have come face-to-face with not only Bowen Tyler himself, but also the evil Baron von Schoenvorts and the crew of the U-33. To their knowledge, World War I still rages outside the walls of Caspak, and von Schoenvorts will stop at nothing to escape the island prison. But will any of them survive being attacked by a pack of vicious Allosaurus?
What I like about comics is that you can do a series like this that’s a sequel to the original story, tie them together in an unusual and surprising way and still make it feel something brand new. Well Mike can do that because it’s obvious that he’s a huge fan of the original story and the way he’s approached this brings us all that awe and wonder of experiencing this world for the first time, in some cases all over again. It’s one of the most quintessential science fiction stories ever made really and Mike’s taking it to the next level like is doing just reignites the fire for the original in the best possible of ways.
I think the characterisation here is superbly done. I’m pretty sure last issue when they kind of “accidentally” found Caspak they all understood what it meant and the risks they were going to undertake going inland. So that Block is completely and utterly freaking out over everything they are going through well it’s really well done. Also his confusion with his World Wars and forgetting Germany wasn’t full of Nazi’s when Von Schoenvorts was on active duty well it completes things somehow. His and Abby’s chat, or tirade, is great stuff it really kind of shows us how on edge these characters really are.
I think the story progression, the introduction of all the players in this little drama along with their characterisation is being done at an excellent pace. Mike can weave in many layers into his storytelling and by directing the action as much as he does through dialogue and narration. He’s been able to capture the sheer disbelief, not only of finding the Island but those on it still alive, to the tension of what’s happening to the abject horror of having to face the local wildlife. So it feels as if there’s more going on then there is and that’s great it really feels more like an extra sized issue when it’s not.
Giancarlo and Flavia do some nice work on the interiors. It’s not overly detailed but neither is it anywhere near simple. There’s a nice sense of unique style brought to this that not only garners your interest but captures the imagination as well. The use of page layouts through angles, perspective and the use of backgrounds really flesh out the world more fully giving us that whole picture.
I’m really very impressed with how much this is both new and fresh while remaining true and reminiscent to the original source material. This is the kind of stuff that we love to watch in our movies from the days when PBS or late night television used to show them. This is what classic science fiction is all about and it’s nice to see it represented as well as it is here.