Graphic Novel Review: CHALLENGER DEEP

The comic book industry and graphic novels have changed dramatically over the past decade. No longer dominated by the superhero genre the industry has allowed other genres to flourish especially the sci-fi and horror genres. A few years ago a graphic novel such as Challenger Deep would’ve been an oddity but in today’s market this sci-fi drama is the norm and publisher Boom! Studios has made it a norm to challenge their audiences with though provoking stories of all genres (including the occasional superhero book).

Challenger Deep is the story of an elite rescue team who must journey into Challenger Deep, one of deepest trenches of the ocean, when a nuclear submarine is damaged and sunken to a depth that no ordinary man could ever dive down to. The clock is ticking down as the nuclear sub is destined to detonate if it is broke back on line and back in the control of the military. If this happens the nuclear bomb will detonate “methane ice” in the trench which will set into action a global chain reaction that may turn the entire Earth into a fireball. In order to get down to the nuclear sub the government enlists the aid of Dr. Eric Chase and his team. Not only does Dr. Chase need to get down to the sub in only seventy-two hours but there are also survivors in the downed sub that are experiencing their own possible mutiny.

With script by Andy Schmidt (story by Schmidt & Andrew Cosby) and art by Chee this is a very fast paced thriller in the vein of the films The Abyss and Crimson Tide. Chee’s artwork as always is a marvel to behold and it brings the deep sea world of Challenger Deep to life. Schmidt’s script is very smart and intelligent and even though Dr. Chase is not a likable character at first the story gets deep into the motivations of why he is someone whom people hate but is dedicated to his profession when it really counts. Having the secondary story focus on the survivors trapped within the downed sub and how a mutiny within endangers the entire world is a great addition and allows the story to really feel the immediacy of the clock ticking down to Armageddon.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel and fans of this genre will find lots to enjoy as well.