Plunge #6 (of 6)
(W) Joe Hill (A) Stuart Immonen (CA) Jeremy Wilson
In Shops: Aug 25, 2020
SRP: $3.99
Sixty fathoms below the ocean’s surface, a massive hatch waits to be opened…Something within wants to emerge; wants to be born; wants to rise; wants to feed. The child is coming, desperate to fill its belly-by devouring reality itself!
If you’re a sci-fi horror fan, Plunge is a series that’s a must for you. Plunge #5 delivers a lot more reveals as we get a better idea of what the alien worms want and is full of betrayal and grief. When we last left them, the crew were debating whether to give the worms what they want or if there were other options.
But what’s in the hatch and what do the worms want?
Written by Joe Hill, the issue is claustrophobic in a way as the ship’s crew is locked away debating what to do. With some intelligent moves they use the infected individual to learn more about the worms delivering a reveal to us. While the direction hinted at isn’t quite Earth-shattering and somewhat predictable, it’s a good direction to go in to. What’s lead up to this moment is gone over and it’s full of creepy goodness.
What Hill does that’s fantastic is keep the story focused on the characters. You get a sense of fear and desperation, most importantly anger. There’s anger at what must be done and the sacrifice that happens. Much of the comic has a feel of a condense play in that way with a focus on a small group in a tight location.
As I said, the revelation itself isn’t anything major. It’s somewhat predictable and where I thought the series was going. While I was hoping for something different, this direction in a way keeps the story simple focusing more on the characters instead of a crazy idea.
All of this is helped by the art which focuses so much on the body language and facial expressions. Stuart Immonen and Dave Stewart as usual knock it out of the park. The series keeps it all disturbing without making things gross. It’s just enough to unnerve some readers (like myself). Deron Bennett‘s lettering too is key when it comes to the possessed individuals and their speech. Again, like the art, it adds a bit of unease to everything.
While the reveal in Plunge #5 isn’t original, there is a lot that is in the story. We learn a bit more about the worms and how they’re described adds to the atmosphere of the comic. And that atmosphere is so much of it all. This is a horror story with sci-fi elements but at it’s heart this is about a group of individuals who are presented with a mystery and difficult choices. The series continues to entertain and has nailed it at every issue. For those who enjoy horror, it’s a must get.
Story: Joe Hill Art: Stuart Immonen
Color: Dave Stewart Letterer: Deron Bennett
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) 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 choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Cloven Vol. 1 (Fantagraphics) – Garth Stein and Matthew Southworth’s graphic novel about a genetically modified human who’s half-man, half-goat.
Empyre #3 (Marvel) – The event has been much improved the more it goes on and we’re excited to see what’s coming next. This is one for those who enjoy big summer popcorn events.
Hedra (Image Comics) – An astronaut leaves a world ravaged by nuclear war in search of life. The conept sounds interesting and art looks great. We’re intrigued to read this one.
Lost Soldiers #1 (Image Comics) – Ales Kot, Luca Casalanguida, and Heather Moore tell the story of three men tied together by the Vietnam War.
Nailbiter Returns #3 (Image Comics) – The series has been so much fun to return to. If you like slahser horror, it’s a must and you don’t need to have read the previous volume to enjoy it.
Plunge #5 (DC Comics/DC Black Label/Hill House Comics) – If you enjoy sci-fi/horror, this has been a fantastic series. This issue is full of reveals as well as betrayal.
Pulp (Image Comics) – Ed Brubaker, Jacob Phillips, and Sean Phillips’ graphic novel tell a pulp story in this highly anticipated graphic novel.
Star Wars: Darth Vader #3 (Marvel) – Absolutely fantastic so far, the series delivers even more depth to the popular character.
The Walking Dead: Alien (Image Comics/Skybound) – The digital comics set in the world of The Walking Dead is in print for the first time. See Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin’s take on the popular world.
X-Factor #1 (Marvel) – The classic team is back and now with new members its focus is to investigate the deaths of Mutants to figure out the why and how and if they’re really dead. It’s CSI: Krakoa.
Plunge #5
Written by: Joe Hill
Art by: Stuart Immonen, Dan McDaid
The crew of the Derleth have been generous hosts. They’ve given Moriah, Bill, Gage, and the rest of the MacReady’s crew several incredible gifts. They’ve solved problems humanity has grappled with for ages, shown us ways to power the entire world for generations. And they’re offering even more. All they want is one teensy-weensy little favor in return from the MacReady’s crew: open the hatch.
Daphne Byrne #6
Written by: Joe Hill, Laura Marks
Art by: Dan McDaid, Kelley Jones
The full scope of Daphne’s relationship with the mysterious Brother is revealed-and so is the full strength of their combined power. God help anyone in their path…
That was not what we were expecting. Plunge #4 delivers a lot of reveals and some teases as to what might be coming in this fantastic, and creepy, horror series. Is it a horror series? More sci-fi/horror series as revealed in this issue. Written by Joe Hill, Plunge takes place on a remote island with a salvage crew exploring what happened to a wrecked boat and its missing crew. That crew is alive decades later and full of secrets of the universe.
Plunge #4 is the big reveal issue giving us such a better idea as to what’s going on and what the mysterious worms are. It’s an issue that will make some reader’s stomachs churn with images that make you uneasy but at the same time it’s hard to look away. For me, it’s the right amount of disturbing.
It’s difficult to really review this issue without spoiling it. So, to keep it broad the reveals are really interesting and ominous. You know there’s more to it but not quite sure what that is. You also know that whatever the worms want, it’s probably not good.
And while Hill delivers all of that, he also delivers some fantastic dialogue. The issue has some shocking moments and those are enhanced by the lack of real action but it’s the dialogue that stands out. The reactions feel right in a movie sort of way. There are some smart-ass quips but generally, they’re perfect for the moment. The flow is fantastic making the issue a page-turner. That dialogue extends to the characters who do play stereotypes but each role enhances the overall story and enjoyment. None of those stereotypes are distracting at all and help drive the narrative.
The art by Stuart Immonen is fantastic. Along with colors by Dave Stewart and lettering by Deron Bennett, the art brings the perfect amount of unease. Some bugs get to me and issue delivers just enough of that for me without getting me to completely put the comic down. It shuddered a bit and my stomach churned a little but the visuals are never over the top. Stewart’s colors help with that delivering a sickly palette to Immonen’s designs. The comic feels cold and wet perfectly matching its setting.
Plunge #4 is another fantastic issue and the series as a whole is amazing. If you’re a fan of horror with a slight sci-fi tinge, it’s well worth picking up and getting. This is a comic that’s exciting to pick up and see where it’s going and what twists it has in store.
Story: Joe Hill Art: Stuart Immonen
Color: David Stewart Letterer: Deron Bennett
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – TFAW – Zeus Comics
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) 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 choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
20th Century Boys Vol. 8 Perfect Edition (VIZ Media) – If you’ve missed this series as single volumes, here’s your chance to get these collected editions of what’s considered some of the best manga ever.
Ash & Thorn #1 (AHOY Comics) – The savior/champion of the world is not who you think.
Banned Book Club (Iron Circus) – A graphic novel exploring the history of South Korea’s Fifth Republic, a military regime that entrenched its power through censorship, torture, and murder.
Batman #93 (DC Comics) – The end to the “Grand Design” storyline and takes us into the “Joker War.” Many aspects of the story are predictable but it’s still a hell of a final chapter.
Bleed Them Dry #1 (Vault Comics) – The year is 3333. Earth is in a state of recovery. Vampires are real, and though far less populous, they thrive alongside humans in the Japanese-engineered mega-city known as Asylum.
Dragonfly and Dragonflyman Vol. 1 (AHOY Comics) – If you like a take on superheroes over different eras, this is a series to definitely check out. Both an homage and study on superheroes over the years.
Empyre: Avengers #0 (Marvel) – Marvel’s next big event kicks off here.
Once & Future #8 (BOOM! Studios) – A new take on Arthurian legends. It’s well worth checking out!
Plunge #4 (DC Comics/Hill House Comics/DC Black Label) – Fantastic horror with this issue finally making it clearer as to what’s going on but still leaving a lot of mystery.
That Texas Blood #1 (Image Comics) – A new ongoing series that’s described as a “neo-Western crime” story. WE’re intrigued.
The Low, Low Woods #6 (of 6)
(W) Carmen Maria Machado (A) Dani (CA) Sam Wolfe Connelly
In Shops: Jun 24, 2020
SRP: $3.99
There’s a fire burning deep within the ground in Shudder-to-Think, Pennsylvania. There’s a river running through the mountains that makes you forget your life. There’s an old resort called Heaven on Earth, where a group of men like to make women forget. And there are two teenagers named Octavia and El who are determined to put an end to it all. Time is running out.
Plunge #4 (of 6)
(W) Joe Hill (A) Stuart Immonen (CA) Jeremy Wilson
In Shops: Jun 24, 2020
SRP: $3.99
Moriah, Bill, Russell, and the rest of the MacReady’s crew get an unexpectedly intimate tour inside the minds of their eyeless new friends. Meanwhile, Lacome does the math and comes to an alarming conclusion.
Daphne Byrne #5 (of 6)
(W) Laura Marks (A) Kelley Jones (CA) Piotr Jablonski
In Shops: Jun 17, 2020
SRP: $3.99
Daphne is betrayed by everyone she ever trusted-and neither heaven nor hell can help any of them once her rage is awakened…
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