- Writer: Rich Douek
- Artist and Colorist: Alex Cormack
- Letterer: Justin Birch
- Color Assistant: Mark Mullaney
- Designer: Valeria Lopez
- Editor: Bobby Curnow
Thanks to IDW Publishing for the review copy!
SEA OF SORROWS may be accurately named based on its story, but its title underestimates how much I’ve enjoyed the first 2 issues of the series. A period piece about a ship trying to recover gold from a sunken sub, SEA OF SORROWS is a horror title about what lurks beneath the sea…which as we learned in issue 1, is evil mermaids.
Issue 2 opens up with some really gruesome imagery, as Nick suffers from nightmares from his time in the war. The page is sufficiently unsettling to put you on edge for the rest of the issue. While most of the issue is mostly black and white, with some brown sprinkled in, the issue makes effective use of a few splashes of red.
The part of the story taking place underwater continues to be the most effective, with the black and white mimicking the inability to see underwater and the inevitable confusion and fear that results.
While Nick thus far is a fairly standard ‘guy haunted by the war’ character, the ship’s female first mate stands out as an interesting and original character. She easily holds her own with the all male crew and has the most individualized personality so far. Does she know more than she’s letting on?
SEA OF SORROWS is hitting many of the beats that classic horror movies use – the isolated crew with dark and mysterious histories, glimpses of monsters, events that add pressure to the situation. Fans of movies like THE THING will really enjoy this series. I recommend starting with issue 1 to ensure you know what the set up for the story is, as issue 2 jumps right into the action.
SEA OF SORROWS #2 is now out, and the third issue of the five part mini-series set for release on February 3rd.
Check back soon for my thoughts on the 3rd issue of the series!
Have you been reading this series? What do you think of it? Let me know on Twitter or leave a comment below!
