I pictured Image Comics in my mind based on Spawn, Witchblade and Darkness which I read long time ago. They had certain art style and stories were what they were. I don’t remember what actually happened in those comics. I remember the stories of other comics I read those days. A while ago I learned of three comics which showed Image Comics I pictured in my head wasn’t correct one. I didn’t know then Image Comics released them. It was when I started to read them. Coffin Bound was one. Unearth was another one. I will get to Sea of Stars later. All these had interesting art work. When I learned each had first issue free I had to check them. Which lead to buying more of them.
Unearth is science fiction horror. If you want it compered to something more well known it is like Aliens that goes Junji Ito level weird. Mexican town has infections which morphs people and animals into weird blobs. There is a cave which could be the reason for infection. Group of scientists and soldiers go into cave which has its own ecosystem. Way they came to cave collapses and they have to find their way out somehow.
I picked this book because of art. It works in body horror and showing alien ecosystem. Book works on art and mystery. Characters are one dimensional if they even has that one dimension. Most fleshed out character is one who stayed behind. At least if we don’t count two character who go mad. But I don’t think going mad gives character personality. Blank characters are not big issue since most are there to provide body count. Exploring the cave and figuring out what is going on is more important.
The mystery has satisfying ending. It goes weird but like in Junji Ito’s work it makes sense in context of the story. During story you wonder why morphed humans look like they do and in the end you understand why. Book doesn’t tell everything it shows something along the way which start to make sense in the end.
Recommendation if cover art looks good to you and you are into science fiction horror. First volume collects first five issues which have first complete story arc. Sixth issue is already released but rest are postponed due corona pandemic.