ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Survival,’ Issue #1

Survival #1 is a horror comic published by Dark Horse, written by Sean Lewis, art by Bryndon Everett, colors by Everett and Natalia Barahona, and letters by Ed Dukeshire. A plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, departing from Russia. And what was within that plane quickly starts to cause devastation for the community that lives there.

This is a horror comic with a great plot concept. Plunging us deep into an isolated location, the setting is just right for a chaotic killing spree with little hope of escape. Whilst some comics may create the world and the story, then unleash the threat, Survival #1 does both at the same time. And what is quite surprising about this first issue is a lack of tension or suspense. Instead, the villain is revealed very quickly. Then it becomes a matter of running away, with the nervousness coming from when the threat hits an area with people.

The fast pace perhaps sets this book apart from other horror stories, and it fluctuates dramatically. There is a rush, then world-building, then more of a rush. The structure of time as the main characters and the enemy start to converge can be confusing, but it begins to make sense by the last part of the issue. 

The characters and the dialogue are interesting. The dialogue can be crass and sometimes purposefully offensive, but it seems that those characters that are like that are being teed up for something awful. The main character, Emma,  is quiet and unlike the more raucous, gun-loving members of her group. The issue also does a great job of breaking bravado and expectation. The two sidekicks that follow Emma start out cocky, calling themselves part of the military before the truth is revealed.

Things quickly crumble and dissolve when it all goes to hell. As for the enemy, I think that is where the surprise and the intrigue come from. There are so many influences and variables to what it is and what it can do. Just when you start to get a bead on what the protagonist will be up against, something else is brought in to make the task even bigger. 

The art is fascinating. The characters are detailed, and there is a terrific understanding of emotion. Some of the facial expressions are haunting, only glimpsed for a single panel before cutting away. These singular moments are given more drama instead of building to it. The violence can either cut away, giving a brief preview of the horror about to unfold, or show it in its gory glory. Everett is fantastic at conveying speed, raising heartbeats during chase scenes. The enemy is again a bit of an amalgamation in its design, with many elements fused into one. It would be interesting to see if there is an evolution as the series progresses or if the look remains the same. Everett also embraces the environment brilliantly too. With a thick treeline almost 360 degrees around, it means that the terror can come from anywhere.

The colors are very natural, perfectly suited for the habitat the comic is set in. It is largely greens and browns, featuring many variations within those two colors. Deeper in the woods, we lose the light, and the murkier panels make it harder to see what the characters are getting themselves into. The lettering is excellent, with some distinctive uses of SFX.

Survival #1 is a strange but intriguing first issue. It is strange due to some of the narrative decisions made around the pacing and how it inflicts the horror. It’s not a slow-burning thriller; it’s a high-octane slasher that revels in violence. Some of the dialogue is clunky and uncomfortable, but this is a comic that appears to like causing discomfort. It is unflinching and unafraid, as shown by the early exchanges, and this is just the beginning of the horror.

Survival #1 is available where comics are sold.