Ah, the trepidation and fear of starting a new Cullen Bunn work.
Creative Staff:
Story: Cullen Bunn
Art: Leila Leiz
Colors: Giada Marchisio
Letterer: Jim Campbell
What They Say:
Civilization is a lie. Hidden deep in our genes is the truth. And it is slowly clawing its way to the surface. Olivia Kade knows the truth, and she has become the prophet of the coming collapse. Her book, SATYR, is an international bestseller, and it is being blamed for acts of senseless violence and bloodshed all over the world. Olivia’s own life is in danger from those who have read her work. Determined to conduct a book tour, she hires security professional Connor Wilson to act as her bodyguard. She only has one requirement: he cannot read her work.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
One of the more prolific writers out there that I definitely enjoy for their delves into darkness, it’s definitely Cullen Bunn. With this new series, we get something that’s definitely playing to that angle and it’s one that has an intriguing end of days feeling that I’m curious to see how far they’ll go with. While I’m very familiar with his writing style and enjoy it, this was only my second experience with artwork from Leila Leiz and that was four years ago. I really like what they present here as we get some great character designs, a gorgeously violent cover, and even an undressed variant cover that makes me wish we’d get a few more adult series like that from publishers. Suffice to say, the quality is here across the board.
The initial premise here is one that’s going to explore the thin line between society and the primal monsters that lurk within. We see that early on as the narration goes on about how thing that layer is and how quickly and easily it can be stripped away. It’s done showcasing an older businessman that’s taking the train home only to be accosted by some violent youths who look to take advantage of the situation but just for the thrill of the violence itself. But what it wants to point out is that the civil can be pushed as well and the graying businessman has some fight in him yet, causing him to tear at his attackers and return home with a bloodied suit of his own. To which he finds his wife in full nag mode for the same reason the youths attacked, which sends him into violence once more as well.
What seems to be causing this uptick in real ultraviolence? Some believe it’s the release of the book Satyr by Olivia Kade. The bestselling book is garnering all sorts of attention and most people are of mind that those that get into it and succumb to violent tendencies are responsible for their own turn because how could a book turn you. The book is selling very well, she’s becoming famous, and she’s even attacked at one of her own book signings, which gets the publisher to set her up with full time security ahead of her book tour. There’s a lot of dialogue across a couple of different conversations about what society means and just how much of a veneer it is, and there’s definitely a very cynical approach to this that fits the material well. Watching it unfold, knowing that the book must be the key if not a big connection to it, leaves you wanting to know a whole lot more.
In Summary:
There’s a lot of familiar material here if you’re someone that has dealt with lengthy conversations about morality, violence, and the thin layer of civilization that in the eyes of some is a form of control to keep us docile. Olivia’s book looks to be something that has triggered events so that it’s causing people to push away that veil and they’re thoroughly into the violence that feels very out of character for them. I’m curious as to what direction Bunn will take it but I quickly took to Kade and everything about her. It didn’t hurt that Leiz’s artwork is fantastic and I really liked the design for Olivia herself, as well as the world she inhabits. I’m definitely intrigued to see what the endgame is for this.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Vault Comics
Release Date: July 28th, 2021
MSRP: $3.99
