Rating: 4.5/5 – Fialkov sure knows how to set up a story!
by ComicSpectrum EiC Bob Bretall.
I originally picked this series up in “digital first” format off Comixology in October 2013 when Fialkov was publishing 10-page episodes for 99 cents (the same format DC uses digitally for Injustice: Gods Among Us and several other series). I’m a big Fialkov fan so I bit the bullet and read it digitally even though my preferred format is still having a physical comic in my hands. When I heard he had landed a deal with Oni Press to bring the comic to print I was VERY happy.
This is both a pre- and post-apocalyptic story thanks to the storytelling technique Fialkov employs. Five friends find a mysterious bunker in the woods while planning to bury a time capsule. The weird thing is that it has 4 of their names written on the hatch! Inside are letters, written in their own handwriting – apparently from their future selves, describing a future they’d do almost anything to prevent from happening.
Joe Infurnari’s art is a perfect match for this story, precise enough to convey the story with precision but rough around the edges which lends a nice quality and conveys the dark mood necessary for this story to work.
I don’t want to give away any details of the story beyond what I mention above since there are some very cool reveals in this first issue, but suffice to say that I’m on board for this series. Bunker #1 does the job of a #1 issue perfectly; it sets up the world, introduces the main players, and leave me wanting to read more. I re-read this again since it’s been 4 months since my first read through and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. I’m looking forward to finally seeing where Josh & Joe take us in #2.
Reviewed by: Bob Bretall
(bob@comicspectrum.com)
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