Many comic book series envision their own take on the end of the world, with Image Comics' latest title Deep Beyond blending several influences to deliver their own approach to the apocalypse. Created by Mirka Andolfo (Sweet Paprika), David Goy and Andrea Broccardo, the series has a gorgeous opening issue that succeeds the most when it focuses on civilization attempting to rebuild in the face of a horrific cataclysm and falters when the narrative becomes bogged down by the sheer amount of exposition that runs the palatable risk of overshadowing the artwork in an uneven debut.

Set in a not-too-distant future, humanity's population has plummeted in the face of a devastating millennium bug. A small group of scientists investigate what exactly caused the apocalypse, delving into the watery abyss for answers only to discover there are those who would let vital secrets stay immersed in the shadows that could wipe out humanity for good. Interspersed with this narrative are glimpses of modern society's final moments as the cataclysm arises that swept across the Earth and its cities, wiping out billions to horrifying effect.

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Andolfo, who has created fan-favorite Image titles including Unnatural and Mercy, works with co-writer David Goy to introduce a world gone horribly wrong. This is one of the darker tales that Andolfo has crafted; while Mercy delved into Gothic, supernatural terror, Deep Beyond leans more into science fiction's apocalyptic potential. While there are monsters from the depths, to be sure, there are multiple causes and influences driving the narrative forward, with the creative team proudly wearing their inspirations right on their sleeve. The biggest issue with this opening issue is the overabundance of exposition that becomes particularly noticeable towards the end of the issue. Andolfo and Goy spend a bit too much time and energy introducing readers to the post-apocalyptic instead of stepping back and allowing the artwork do much of the heavy lifting as the full scope of the story is revealed.

Broccardo, working with color artist Barbara Nosenzo, delivers an impressive debut issue, visually. While the script appears to homage classic sci-fi stories like The Abyss, the art team makes these allusions clear as they produce an apocalyptic world that is all their own. From bloody action to visions of the old world overrun by the horrors of civilization's total collapse, Broccardo's artwork is gripping as it draws the readers into the violent world that the creative team has introduced. In the opening installment of this twelve-issue maxi-series, the tale really does feel like it's just getting started as the art team has only revealed the tip of the creative iceberg.

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Mirka Andolfo's latest Image Comics series is her most ambitious yet and, once it overcomes the growing pains of establishing its expansive, narrative world, is poised to bring thrills with a sense of apocalyptic intensity. The flaws and faults in Deep Beyond's inaugural issue, fortunately, are eclipsed by its strengths; this is an uneven opening but the intriguing directions and premise that it establishes promise greater things to come, especially once that introductory exposition is hopefully out of the way.

Andolfo, Goy and Broccardo definitely still have plenty of tricks up their sleeves as they delve deeper into the post-apocalyptic setting they've created and Deep Beyond is poised to double down on its premise and take readers on a bona-fide thrill ride through the end of the world.

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