Cullen Bunn & Kyle Strahm, story
Baldemar Rivas, art
Crank!, letters
Recap
The story begins in Mitlan Itza, Mexico, humanity is under attack by an alien or paranormal virus that transforms people into grotesque creatures. After meeting a child-survivor in a medical facility, A team of medical professionals and military personal investigate a series of caves under the earth for an answer to the question: what caused this? What they find shocks them and catches them off guard.
I started this story with a couple of bias’: I love horror and I find great enjoyment out of this author’s previous works. Cullen Bunn is famous for developing horror and paranormal worlds in comics. He knows how to set up the universe and educate the reader regarding the rules of the universe and this story is no exception. The context for this story takes place in a small town in a third world country. The opening panel shows shadowy figures descending a rope into the earth, which spurs a question: What’s in the underneath? The panel accomplishes an important task of developing a need in the reader to know what’s there. And, why?
It’s not clear if the decision by the scientists to explore these paranormal creatures will be successful. The ambivalence created by the unknown flushes out a layer in the story around this idea that as advanced as mankind has become we still have limited control in our lives. In this story the lack of control comes in the form of the paranormal virus that invades and transforms human being to grotesque creatures. Despite the advance medical equipment and dedicated scientists this virus is taking over. Not every problem can be solved by technology and perseverance. The question that gets generated is, then what will help? More technology? A different scientist? A miracle cure? I can hardly wait to find out. Overall = 9/10
