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Review: Dark Ark #2

As the floodwaters rise, Shrae’s ark full of fiendish beasts continues on its seemingly endless voyage. But below deck, the matriarch of the naga clan has been viciously slain, and the monstrous voyagers are quick to point clawed fingers to blame each other for the murder. As tensions rise among the monsters, Shrae’s very human family is at risk of becoming victims themselves.

With the first issue of writer Cullen Bunn‘s Dark Ark, I had no idea what to expect, but the series presented a twisted version of Noah’s Ark. A second ark exists, but this one filled with a dark sorcerer and monsters. What’s really intriguing is that with that great concept, Bunn is delivering a series that’s part murder mystery and part political jockeying. And those things together make for an entertaining read.

Dark Ark #2 is the chaos following the murder in the first issue. Who did it? That’s the big question and the monsters are pissed and fighting with each other to figure that out. They’re not happy with the situation and where they are and to some extent blame Shrae about that. Confrontations, finger pointing, lots of fighting, and threats abound and we’re left with a better sense of the factions and politics of the monsters. Throw in this story of the humans on board and things get even more interesting.

I like Juan Doe’s art better in this second issue than the first. It feels a bit cleaner and easier to figure out what’s going on but it keeps the dark tones that help create the chaotic and ominous setting Bunn has created.

Dark Ark has not only impressed me but its exceeded my expectations creating a Biblical horror series that’s also a whodunnit. A great combination that has me sucked in waiting to see what’s next and who the killer is.

Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Juan Doe Letters: Ryane Hill
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.65 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Review

AfterShock provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Dark Ark #1

The wickedness of mankind has moved the Creator to destroy the world by way of the flood. Noah has been tasked with building an ark to save his family and the animals of the world. But this is not Noah’s story. For darker powers have commanded the sorcerer Shrae to build his own ark and save the unnatural creatures of the world-such as the vampires, the dragons, the naga, and the manticore. But what will happen on a vessel crawling with monsters, where insidious intrigue and horrific violence are the rule of law?

Writer Cullen Bunn has been killing it with a series of horror comics and Dark Ark is added to the pull pile with a story about that “other ark” on the ocean at the same time as Noah. This ark is full of monsters and things aren’t going so well. Food is scarce and Noah’s ark is looking like a good target to help solve that.

Bunn presents a fascinating comic whose tension is enhanced by the fact that it takes place in such a small space while at the same time having the vast world around it that can’t be moved around in the traditional sense. The fact he’s able to mine a Biblical story and give it a new twist I haven’t seen before is impressive as well. Just when you think things have been mined completely… The first issue sets up the tension well, gives us the background of everything, and does that in a way that creates a lot of conflict to come. It’s smart, it’s interesting, and it has me wanting to read more.

I generally really enjoy Juan Doe‘s art and this looks great. It’s dark and there’s a lot packed in, so I found myself lingering on the pages to really figure everything out. That’s not a bad thing at all and shows how much is in there (the review copy was digital and had a stamp on it which might have contributed to things). The style of the monsters and characters are very cool too, not quite sure how to describe the style but it feels like there’s a slight manga influence to it all.

Dark Ark #1 is a solid debut. As I said, it mines material and gives it a new spin I wasn’t expecting and really enjoyed. I want to see where it all goes as Bunn sets up the conflict really well and it feels like a powder keg getting ready to explode. A great example of how the setting can make a story.

Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Juan Doe
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.85 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Buy

AfterShock provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors are choosing up to five books and why they’re choosing the books. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick(s): Bloodshot Salvation #1 and Secret Weapons #4 (Valiant Entertainment) –  There’s a funny thing this week. There’s really only two comics I can’t wait to pick up from my LCS, and both are from Valiant: Bloodshot: Salvation #1 and Secret Weapons #4. While I’ve read both, I want to reread them both in print without the review copy watermark on them.

Mr. Crypt #1 (Alterna) – It’s a living skeleton and the comic is about $1.50. What’s not to love?

 

Paul

Top Pick: Jean Grey #7 (Marvel) – I’ve really been enjoying this series and seeing Jean meeting up with other heroes and learning from them has been fun. But to be totally honest, I’m really just looking forward to seeing Scarlet Witch in this issue. Not too much of a fan boy, eh?

Super Sons #8 (DC Comics) – This is a fun, action filled super hero book that you all should be reading.

U.S.Avengers #10 (Marvel) – I’m interested to see how the fall of Hydra will effect this team, and looking forward to them going out to look for Cannonball. This book is hit or miss with me, and the Secret Empire tie ins were just alright, so I’m hoping things pick up.

X-Men Gold #12 (Marvel) – This book has been a good read, even though I do have a few issues on how some characters have been depicted or altogether pushed to the side (looking at Storm). I would like to see this book be more of a team feel like the first few issues were; lately is just feels like ‘the tales of Shadowcat and Colossus’ with the rest of the team just popping up as support.

 

Shay

Batwoman #7 (DC Comics) – Kate and her dad spend some time stranded in the first installment of the Fear and Loathing story arc.

Harley Quinn #28 (DC Comics) – Harley’s running for office. An anti-heroine for the people!

Harley Quinn Batman Day Special (DC Comics) – I’m all for anything Harley related especially when we get to see her toxic relationship fable with Joker. Here’s to hoping that she stays smart and stays single .

Luke Cage #5 ( Marvel) – It’s going down in New Orleans and I’ve got popcorn.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Batman: The Red Death #1 (DC Comics) – I’m all in with DC’s latest even Metal and this one gives us the scoop on one of the alternate worlds’ Batman. I’ve read it and holy crap is it good.

Catalyst Prime: Superb #3 (Lion Forge Comics) – I’ve been sucked into the Catalyst Prime world and this series is standing out in a teenage superhero sort of way that has enough different to make it a must read.

Dark Ark #1 (AfterShock) – You know the story of Noah… but what about that other ark?

Misbegotten: Runaway Nun #1 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – Haven’t read this yet but it feels like the grindhouse sort of concept and movie that I really enjoy.

World of Animosity #1 (AfterShock) – This amazing comic world expands with this new series and is absolutely a world you should be checking out if you haven’t already.

AfterShock Comics Announces Dark Ark from Cullen Bunn and Juan Doe

This September AfterShock Comics will release Dark Ark, their second titles with writer Cullen Bunn featuring art from Juan Doe, letters by Ryane Hill and covers by Doe and Phil Hester.

The wickedness of mankind has moved the Creator to destroy the world by way of the flood. Noah has been tasked with building an ark to save his family and the animals of the world. But this is not Noah’s story. For darker powers have commanded the sorcerer Shrae to build his own ark and save the unnatural creatures of the world—such as the vampires, the dragons, the naga, and the manticore. But what will happen on a vessel crawling with monsters, where insidious intrigue and horrific violence are the rule of law?

Dark Ark #1 is on sale September 20, 2017.

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