Comics! The Wake #1

The Wake #1

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Sean Murphy

Preview and Solicitation

Review
Damn, I can't find my copy of Michael Crichton's Sphere. Do I have anything like it lying around? Wait, what is this comic in my hands?

Yeah. I'm going there.

I don't know if Snyder and I just grew up reading the same things, but seriously, this is a page out of Sphere. For those who don't know about the book, Sphere follows a man who gets convinced by the military to visit a military complex in the bottom of the ocean and help study something alien that they find. Other members of the expedition are all specialists in their respective fields who were convinced to come down as well by various means.

And there you have the basic plot presented so far in The Wake.

But I'm conflicted here, because I'm enjoying Sean Murphy's art. At least when I can see it. I actually did a word count for one panel that was crowded with words. 57. in one panel. Sorry, but that needs to be broken up a little bit. I understand some exposition is needed, but Murphy knows how to use his art to tell a story. After just seeing him nicely handle putting speech bubbles in his own art in Punk Rock Jesus, I'm a little bit spoiled.

I will say that I'm liking the color added to Murphy's art. Matt Hollingsworth deserves all the credit for it. The color palette throughout the story was balanced and evoked just the right mood for each panel.

I think I may stick with this book for a bit. I'm a fan enough of Murphy's to follow along, and I hope that something happens in the story that is unpredictable. At least I could flip through the book and know what is going on from just the art alone.

Grades
Words: 5/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Curious.
Buy Next Issue: I'll throw down.