Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Fernando Blanco
Published by Image Comics
I am a big fan of artist Fernando Blanco. I love everything that he has done so far in comics. I have always felt that he had never had the right book or opportunity to show off his amazing artistic talents. I have always felt that he just needed the right book.
I am glad to report that Worldtr33 is that “right book.”
The art in it is wonderful. Blanco is paired perfectly with colorist Jordie Bellaire for this.
He has also found the perfect collaborator here too, in writer James Tynion IV.
So, what is this book all about?
It takes place in the modern day but the catalyst that gets the story going happens in the year 1999.
Something is underneath the internet, in a place called the Undernet. This thing that exists there causes people to become crazy with violence.
From this, we are introduced to Gabriel and his friends.
When we first see them, it is over twenty years past the incident in the year 1999. Gabriel calls them all and tell them that it is happening again and that they have to reunite once more. It is a plot device that is reminiscent of Stephen King’s book It, but Tynion makes sure to twist the screw in a completely different way. Gabriel is now rich, and we get to see him in charge or bringing his friends back together.
We are also introduced to Ellison and Fausta, two other main characters. They are driving when she come across something that Ellison’s brother did on his Instagram. It is horrifying and crazy as the brother is responsible for a bunch of deaths. So, the pair go to see his brother at the police station. That is when Sammi shows up. She then slaughters the entire police department and this put the plot into hyperspeed. Things really only get much crazier from here.
We get to see Gabriel assemble his team to combat Sammi.
Sammi is from the Undernet and represents death and destruction. I have to give Tynion a lot of credit with the characterization of Sammi. She is lethal and downright frightening. Any story like this is only as good as its villains, and Tynion has certainly created a strong one. She is a villain that Gabriel and his team are seemingly prepping to fight. However, Gabriel and Sammi may be more closely linked than we originally imagined.
Every character is well developed here.
Even Fausta has a lot of dimensions to her. She had her own agenda as well that comes to light. Eventually, she runs right up against the Undernet. Ellison eventually joins up with Gabriel. Gabriel tracks him down and brings him to meet up. There are all sorts of twists and turns as all of this happens.
Eventually, we learn that Gabriel has created a webpage called the Worldtr33 to talk about all of the things that the Undernet is capable of. It also served as a blocker to keep this Undernet away from our world. As the Undernet starts to bleed through into our reality, things get crazier and crazier. The whole thing is dark and violent but there is also a feeling on every page that the world might end. It is very compelling and completely awesome.
By the fifth chapter of the story, we get to see that Tynion’s plan is much bigger than we originally might have expected. The story goes forward into the future and shows us the result of the present day story. It is beyond apocalyptic. It also sets up many more interesting questions. I wasn’t quite sure where it was all going to go in future installments. I just know that we are in the hands of experts who are creating something new and completely unique.
The writing by James Tynion IV is amongst his best. The characters are sharp, the dialogue is strong, and the overall story is very intelligently done. It is a horror tale for sure and one that just does not let up. Tynion works amazingly with the aforementioned Fernando Blanco here as well. This is Blanco’s best work, and he proves that on each and every page.
This series is really terrific and I am eagerly awaiting future installments of this mad and crazy comic book story.
RATING: A
