Review – Into The Unbeing #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

June 12, 2024

2–4 minutes

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Script: Zac Thompson
Art: Hayden Sherman
Letters: Jim Campbell
Release Date: 12th June 2024

The world is dying. Okay, that’s maybe a bit dramatic and hyperbolic, but it sums up where we start off here. Biodiversity is down, insect biomass is critical, temperatures are up. No doubt there will be some who want to argue the toss on the merits of pushing a climate change agenda, but it sets the scene well here for what promises to be a strange, uncomfortable, but ultimately enjoyable experience into the belly of the beast.

Its 2034 and a team of scientists are working in the Australian outback for SINEW, the Scientific Institute for Nascent Ecology and Worlds. Not my favourite acronym but perhaps an acronym with a bit of foreshadowing for some body horror to come? That aside, early doors there’s unexplained geological activity nearby which brings with it a new ecosystem. Given the diverse scientific nature of the team, they’ve obviously got to go and investigate. Armed only with their intellect and experience, the team of four, or five if you include Galko the dog, set out into the blasted terrain to uncover what secrets await to be revealed.

Whilst described as the recovered record of botanist Hildur Johansson, this isn’t written or presented as some hackneyed found footage style story. Instead, we see this story play out in a more traditional narrative but aided by the internal voice of Hildur; adding context to the events and conversations, albeit with their bias. One must accept the conceit here when we see any events then that don’t include our ‘protagonist’ but it’s not something which is jarring or stops you from enjoying the ride.

Visually, this new series is clearly striking. Sherman’s cover art is grotesquely captivating, promising more unsettling imagery to follow. From the crimson reds and sickly violets and purples we move to alien landscapes with odd greens and blue hues. This is Earth but not as we know it now and the palettes continue to remind us not all is well. The character work is well done and easy differentiation of even a small cast, helps the reader focus on the story. However, where the book really shines is in the bleak vistas and nascent flora and fauna.

If I were to be overly picky, I’d say that some of the dialogue seemed a bit stilted in places, but overall, I was gripped by this first issue of Into the Unbeing. Thomson, aided by the visuals of Sherman and Campbell’s letters, has crafted a story which I easily fell into. Suspension of disbelief is easy and, unlike certain other well known pop culture references of scientists playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes, this feels credible despite the incredible premise.

As a first issue, there’s enough to whet the appetite with the team setting out on their trek and discovery of the new ecosystem, but I would have loved an oversized issue to take us beyond the present climax. Looking back after a re-read, its actually clever how open the plot is to where we go next. So many questions posed but very little in the way of answers. This could easily have backfired but instead there’s enough on the hook to bait one in.

Rating: 4/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]