Another dark deal made.
Creative Staff:
Story: Cullen Bunn
Art: Juan Doe
Letterer: Ryane Hill
What They Say:
At long last, the rains have stopped. But the flood waters have yet to recede. Still, new life—both human and monster—is born into the world. And as the Manticore Kruul learns what it means to be a father, Shrae’s newborn grandchild is dying from a supernatural ailment. The secret of a cure lies with one of Shrae’s most bitter enemies!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The progress of the dark ark has been pretty engaging to watch play out and each issue moves us further into the strange and unsettling twists and turns it must take. I’m glad that Cullen Bunn is largely working a very slow and steady approach here rather than barreling through the material because this has so much potential for exploration in this period and far beyond. It’s also allowing Juan Doe to really dig into some great scenes with the layouts and monsters to give it such an intense look. But it’s the color wor that continues to take the whole thing to another level as it’s just so striking and well done throughout. I simply love moving through these pages that should be done as a gallery display somewhere in large form.
Anyway, this issue has some of the recent events coming back to surface and it’s only serving to reinforce just what kinds of dark events have gone on. There’s a lot to like in the brief moments we get with Kruul and Frurae as she gives birth herself and Kruul is close to finding it too weak to allow it to live. The primal side of their style is something that I hope we see more of. It’s all played in contrast to Selah giving birth herself which marks the firstborn of the new world. That’s its own intense sequence as she works through the pain of it all but it takes such a dark turn because she has, essentially, given birth to a monster. It’s been tainted by the vampires that roughed her up previously during the revolt and that made an impact on the unborn child and left them now with little in the way of recourse.
What I love is that while it does play out somewhat predictably it’s the interactions and expressions that delight. Shrae knows the cost of this and why it’s unfolded as it has, forcing him to bring Nex back to the surface and accede to his demands in order to get the help he needs. It’s a new dark ritual that puts several people directly involved in helping the child but it requires that big sacrifice as well, which comes from an unexpected quarter bit fits well as we see how the humans on board are really starting to understand their role on this journey. Exploring all of this with the angle of a firstborn in this new world is intriguing and I hope it does have some significance in the work to come. But just seeing how everyone is really starting to figure it all out now and that it can break so easily is thrilling.
In Summary:
Dark Ark gives me exactly what I hope for with each issue in that there are familiar turns and unexpected turns and I’m unsure of where it’s going to go and just what prices will be paid. This issue keeps things close and personal on the human side with what they struggle with but we also get some really sweet time with Nex along the way as well as digging into some brief but enjoyable material with Kruul. I love this book from start to finish and can’t wait to see what the next step is for it.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: 17+
Released By: AfterShock Comics
Release Date: November 14th, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
