Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Oni-Lion Forge » REVIEW: ‘Dega’

REVIEW: ‘Dega’

William TuckerBy William Tucker01/10/20233 Mins Read
Dega
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Dega

Dega is a sci-fi graphic novel published by Oni Press and written, illustrated, and lettered by Dan McDaid. This story is set on a planet after a single survivor crashes her ship. The survivor and her robot explore this world, where something lies within.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

This a plot that merges both noise and quiet. The pace in the first half of the graphic novel has these fluctuating moments of intensity. The questions come quickly as flashes to different times and locations, adding so much mystery to the story. From the start of the comic, it is almost impossible to expect the scale it reaches by its conclusion.

There is an ominous adventure awaiting the protagonist, venturing deeper and deeper into a haunting planet. McDaid practically states within the dialogue that there is something deep within the world, which leads to an unceasing tension that sat in my gut the entire time I read. This is more than a horror story as the layers of the comic escalate. The extremely high concept element kicks in at the perfect time, but those periods of quiet reflection are beautiful. The finale is mindblowing, and although it is noisy, there is a peculiar serenity to it.

The conflict of emotions comes from the brilliant and thoughtful script. Dega is light on verbal dialogue, instead relying heavily on narration. This leads to that peaceful feeling for much of the graphic novel, magnified by the loneliness of the single character. The protagonist seems young, but the narration denotes wisdom beyond their years. The mannerisms are very matter-of-fact, explaining what is happening succinctly and clearly. But there is a repeated phrase that resonates with a theme of existentialism. This mantra becomes a necessary tether considering the zenith the comic reaches.

The art is superb. There is an incredible scale that McDaid utilises for almost the entirety of the story. The protagonist looks small, her presence overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of the planet she has landed on. But this scale requires extra attention to detail everywhere else on the page. It’s a hostile and rough location, especially when the hero travels underground.

The main character’s design is brilliant, with a high-tech, bulky suit protecting the fragility inside. But in a dream sequence, there is a creepy and unnerving change to the costume. The designs of the other beings met on the planet are also terrific, with fun and unique concepts for each creature. It has been a long time since a comic I read uses size difference in such an emotive and expressive way. McDaid has a way of using sheer enormity to instill helplessness. The illustrations in the final part of the graphic novel are just remarkable. 

The colours are beautifully atmospheric. The variation between hot and cold draws the eye. In the sky, there is a dark, planetoid shape framed by a bright light that hangs in the air sinisterly. The way the orange light blends with the purples or the blues of the darkness is stunning and fascinating. I could spend hours studying and absorbing the sight.

Dega is a mesmerising sci-fi comic. McDaid’s script and his art are equally gorgeous as this long project explores more than just a planet. The depth in writing, implementing an extremely high concept while being contemplative about existence, expands the mind. The ending is just glorious and completely unexpected; the surprise and scale of the moment is breathtaking. 

Dega is available where comics are sold.

Dega
5

TL;DR

Dega is a mesmerising sci-fi comic. McDaid’s script and his art are equally gorgeous as this long project explores more than just a planet. The depth in writing, implementing an extremely high concept while being contemplative about existence, expands the mind.

  • Read Now on ComiXology with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury,’ Episodes 11-12
Next Article REVIEW: ‘The Flash,’ Issue #790
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Midnight Radio

REVIEW: ‘Midnight Radio’ Delivers An Emotional and Hopeful Tale

12/10/2024
My Life Among Humans

REVIEW: ‘My Life Among Humans’ Explores The Complexity Of Life

02/08/2023
Issunboshi

REVIEW: ‘Issunboshi’ Delivers A Fantasy-Filled Hero’s Journey

10/27/2022
Talli Daughter of the Moon Volume 1 But Why Tho

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Talli: Daughter of the Moon,’ Volume 1

06/05/2022
Petrograd

REVIEW: ‘Petrograd,’ Original Graphic Novel

12/27/2021
Dirtbag Rapture #1 - But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Dirtbag Rapture,’ Issue #1

10/06/2021

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here