REVIEW: ‘Plunge,’ Issue #3

Plunge #3 is published by DC Comics under the Hill House imprint, written by Joe Hill, art by Stuart Immonen, colors by Dave Stewart, and letters by Deron Bennett. Following last issue’s cliffhanger ending with the island’s denizens making their presence known and an explosion aboard the salvage boat, this story gives readers some explanations for what is happening while revealing more mysteries to ponder on.

Plunge #3 definitely threw me for a loop. With one member of the crew being confronted by a hoard of people in a cave and the explosion rocking the salvage boat, I expected this issue to be where the dying starts. While it doesn’t provide the uptick in pace I expected, the delivery of the story continues to be handled with skill.

Hill reveals a lot of information around the nature of what’s happening to the reader here. I’ll stay vague to avoid spoilers, but I really like how this issue plays out. While some of the revelations where par for the course, there are a couple of moments that really surprised me. But while these revelations are well executed, the best part of this issue stems from a story element Hill opts to hide from the reader. We don’t get to see what this element is, we only get to see its impact on those around it. This storytelling sleight of hand created a real interest for me, especially as the issue came to an end. I can’t help but believe that the element’s revelation will come further in the series, and I really want to know what it is!

While the background and exposition are handled well, this does push the characters a bit out of the spotlight. With only a couple of good moments building up members of the cast, this issue is a little lacking in personality. It would’ve been nice if the exposition was instead broken up a little to give a bit more energy to the read.

The art in Plunge #3 continues its strong reinforcement of the story’s atmosphere. Immonen captures all the new story elements introduced here with skill.  He also does a great job capturing an ending moment that wraps the book up with a brutal finish. The colorwork also does a great job here. Stewart saturates most scenes with a particular color that ties it to the overriding mood present there. With each scene shifting color schemes, the mood of the moment is reinforced nicely.

Bennett’s lettering in Plunge #3 does an all-around superlative job. Some change up in fonts helps add to the tone of the dialogue without comprising readability. The text boxes and bubbles are always well placed, allowing the images to be unhindered by the words.

When all is said and done, Plunge #3 delivers readers a lot of information about what is really going on within the tale. While it is a lot of talking, it does end on a brutal moment that certainly leaves questions for the reader to ponder, questions I personally am looking forward to having answered.

Plunge #3 is available on now wherever comics are sold.