Reviews

Unearth Volume 1 by Cullen Bunn, Kyle Strahm

lattelibrarian's review

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4.0

This was cool, imaginative, and total nightmare fuel.  If images of distorted, malformed human bodies and limbs turned into globulous lumps and veins aren't enough to make you feel queasy, then perhaps the root cause of a new disease infecting a small Mexican town might.  With disturbing yet incredible illustrations, Unearth depicts a near Lovecraftian explanation for  what has ravaged this town.  And our scientists and army officers have no idea what to expect and have a past of their own to deal with.  

As the cave system our protagonists enter becomes more and more intricate, the more their pasts are revealed to be more complicated than they seem--affecting not only their current state of mind but their choices as well.  And the adults themselves seem to be at a loss--yet it is the children who seem to fully know what is going on.  A doctor's assistant now leads the clinic as the doctor himself is incapacitated, and a young rebel girl knows the twists and turns of the cave system and seems to have an ulterior motive.  

The mystery becomes more complex, and each answer leads to a set of new questions...and betrayal.  

Overall, this was an enthralling comic that presented the ethical issues of quarantine and army intervention, offering a perspective of what we know and deem to be true and correct as humans, and the perspective of a still-growing entity that demands nothing more than to be alive.  The illustrations are not for the weak-stomached, but the story is equal parts horrifying and satisfying.  Definitely worth reading for those who enjoy medical mysteries, science fiction, and unearthly beings.

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ogreart's review

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3.0

There was kind of a Lovecraftian vibe throughout this book. What I found weirdest was how calmly and matter-of-factly the characters took all the weird stuff going on all around them. There were a number of questions about the characters and what motivated them to be in this time and place. Unanswered questions that left me feeling like I was missing pieces of the puzzle. Not sure if there will be more to this series, and if there is, I am not sure I would read it.

daisysbookmusings's review

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4.0

I read this a while ago and forgot to review but I remember being so excited by the premise.

I had no idea what to expect and the story was gripping throughout, it laid great groundwork for a long standing series with interesting character arcs and a a mysterious storyline.

anneli's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.5

mispaintedlady's review

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

chrisshorb's review

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2.0

It was plenty creepy and full of body horror. But as soon as the first character said “Ftaghn”, I was out. Ok I finished it, but I didn’t really like it.

Awesome art though

jhstack's review

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2.0

Very mixed on the plotting, character development, and artwork, which isn't usually a thing with Bunn's prior projects that I've read.

oagermann's review

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2.0

The story started out with a really intriguing premise. However, instead of leading up to a finale that kept the pace, it fell flat. The character's actions at the end weren't justified enough to be interesting, and any "shock" factor that it was going for ultimately didn't pan out.

cuntbarton's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

walkerct's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25