Vertigo Comics, rest in peace. Long live Vertigo Comics!
The evolution of DC Comics’ sophisticated-story publishing imprint continues this month with the release of another creator-owned work. And “evolution” is an apt word, as you’ll discover shortly.
Vertigo has, for the most part, abandoned itself of all DC character properties, bringing them into the larger fold that is the DC universe in order to share tales alongside world-recognized superheroes and super villains. That means that the imprint, current publisher of acclaimed titles such as Fables, The Unwritten and American Vampire, is more in line with Dark Horse Comics and Image Comics now, publishers of comic books that are owned by their writers and artists.
The latest addition to that publishing stable? Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy’s The Wake.
The Wake #1
Written by: Scott Snyder
Illustrated by: Sean Murphy
Published by: Vertigo Comics
The Wake is a 10-part monthly series that follows Vertigo Comics’ penchant for horror-themed stories, this time mixing it with little science fiction.
In this first issue, a Marine Biologist is brought to Arctic Circle by the Department of Homeland Security in order to investigate a mysterious discovery deep below the surface of those frigid waters. There, on a secret underwater oilrig, the origins and the evolution of our human existence may have been found. And those beginnings may be terrifying indeed!
Both writer Scott Snyder and artist Sean Murphy are no strangers to Vertigo Comics nor the horror genre. Snyder is the writer and creator of American Vampire and Murphy also worked on American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest, a spin-off series of the main title in 2011 and Hellblazer: City of Demons.
Everyone is aware of Snyder’s ability when it comes to story and characterization. He’s had brilliant runs on both Detective Comics and the current Batman monthly series and his previously mentioned American Vampire is a fan favourite. Still, Murphy’s visual style may be the main attraction on The Wake. His design work can be dark and foreboding, thick with shadows and scratchy renderings. I imagine it will be a look that plays perfectly within the claustrophobic environment of an oilrig, based thousands of kilometers below dark, icy waters. Look for the first five covers of this series to make a gatefold of a giant poster as well – like the horror movie posters you see on roadside billboards!
There’s always something enticing about mixing horror with science fiction, isn’t there? I’m taking The Wake as a cross between John Carpenter’s The Thing and James Cameron’s The Abyss – two of my all-time favourite films. Horror and science fiction. Yeah, you need to be there.
Make the run to your local comic book shop today and dive into the cold, cold water that is The Wake! In this realm, you’ll never feel more alive!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
Yeah – I agree. It’s definitely worth picking up. It’s the set up that really intrigued me – just enough information to make you want to count the days before picking up issue #2. I am a devotee to the Church of Snyder.
Indeed. His fire rises.