Atlantis is the world superpower, and Redum Anshargal is its worst enemy. If you want to break free of the system, he can offer you a place at his side, exploring the wild surface world in his watertight city barge The Deliverer. He and his hostage-protege Ukinnu Alal hunt the Amphibian, a legend that could be the key to an air-breathing life on land. But as they become the hunted, can Anshargal’s team survive long enough to turn the tables on the godlike beast they set out for?

There’s so much to like about the first issue of this new series that dives (pun intended) right into the story with some nice action, then takes the time to explain this different world where Atlantis rules. Writer Steve Orlando‘s level of detail that’s gone into the society, science, politics, and more is impressive. The details here is what really blows me away, creating a realized world. It’s a change of pace from numerous other series where we’re just asked to go with the story, ignoring the “rules” of the world it takes place in.

But, even with all that details, there’s more than enough sense of wonder to keep us lingering on pages. The thought of all of those details spill over to the design of the world itself. That is in part due to the excellent art of Artyom Trakhanov. Again, everything looks like it’s been thought out in how it’d all work which gives it a coherent design that while sci-fi, seems to all make sense.

This being Trakhanov’s mainstream debut as well as Orlando’s first full length publication, it’s an even more impressive debut. I’m expecting another sell-out from Image and a series that’ll have a lot of folks buzzing about and launch point for both of these creators. This was a first issue I finished and it immediately got me excited and wanting to read the next issue to find out more about this world and what these two creators have in store for us.

Story: Steve Orlando Art: Artyom Trakhanov
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review