Several months back, I gave up buying single issues of comics.
With the exception of a half dozen series or so, I became a "wait for the trade guy."
The thought of reviewing a single issue or two of a series can be incredibly difficult, especially when it is part of a limited series. Unlike an ongoing series, a limited series is finite and therefore is constructed differently.
I've had the pleasure of reading the first two issues of Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber's Image Comics limited series Underground, and damn them both for crafting a piece of work that's going to make me go back on my word and buy the issues.
The premise of Underground is fairly simple, yet compelling. Park Rangers Seth and Wesley Fischer work together in Marion, Kentucky, in and around Stillwater cave.
The community, led by Winston Barefoot, want to turn the cave into a tourist attraction, bringing some much needed commerce into the town. Wes believes that the cave should be preserved and remain untouched, and wants Seth's support. The fact that he doesn't completely follow her crusade is complicated as they've also recently slept together.
Then the locals start blasting the cave leading to an investigation that sets off another series of complications.
It's refreshing to read a story that is both a genuine thriller and has characters that have a point of view. Parker's script is dialogue heavy, but the fast moving plot is never hindered as a result. Of Parker's own work, this taut script reminds me most of his Interman graphic novel.
As for the art, Leiber has never been better. I've always enjoyed his work, and like his work on the Whiteout books, he excels at making naturalistic environments believable and exciting. In particular, his facial expressions are top notch and the storytelling really is something else.
I also want to note the coloring work by Ron Chan. The colors are bold and distinctive without ever being garish and the work in the cave "underground" is beautiful work.
Underground is both impeccably crafted and an incredible entertaining read and is highly recommended.
Download a black & white preview of Underground #1 HERE. Trust me, the colors alone are worth the cover price. For more details, check out the Underground site HERE!
UNDERGROUND #1 will be released tomorrow, September 23 at comic book stores everywhere.
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