Science Comics: Deep-Sea Creatures: Adapting to the Abyss

Science Comics

by Mike Lawrence

Take the plunge with Science Deep-Sea Creatures! Science Comics is a popular STEM graphic novel series with over a million copies in print!

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic—dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more! In this volume, you'll see real-life sea creatures like giant isopods, colossal squids, blood-sucking lampreys, and horrific anglerfish. Unravel the mysteries of how these creatures evolved to survive where there is no light, hardly any food, and water pressure so intense it would squash you like a sea slug! Turn the page and prepare to go deep!

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Science, Animals, Childrens, Comics, Nature

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Mike always wanted to be a superhero and an artist when he grew up. While he never developed super powers, he did become an artist after being exposed to gamma radiation at the University of Oregon.

Reviews

[Krysti Kois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing title from science comics. Deep Sea Creatures knocks learning out of the park as we follow a seahorse and his son on a edutainment tour of the deep ocean. There is a little bullying in the story, but it all resolves peacefully. The fabled scary creatures of the deep turn out to be real softies for the tour, but explained in good detail. There is a ton of information that the older kids will enjoy.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this awesome arc.

[ro ★]

OMG THIS IS GONNA BE SO GOOD CUZ I LOVE THE OCEAN AND SCIENCE COMICS

[solace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.I loved it!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deep-Sea Creatures does a fine job of introducing readers to some cool deep-sea denizens, but the framing story is just so bad. A seahorse and his son go on a tourist boat to the depths to witness creatures that are like the monsters from the movies the father loves. Or something like that. It really doesn't matter, but Deep-Sea Creatures is like 60% framing story, 40% cool sea stuff, which is very much the wrong ratio.

[David Schwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick read. A fish gives tours of the depths of the ocean, his customers are a father/son pair of seahorses. The tour is intended to show the scary part of the oceans depths but those creatures are friends of tour operator. Nice graphics.

[libreroaming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit in the Science Comics series, "Deep-Sea Creatures: Adapting to the Abyss" has plenty of fun and slightly spooky facts for kids to, pardon the pun, dive into. Picture-wise, Mike Lawrence strikes a cartoony balance for his main protagonists, with humanesque eyes and expressions for the seahorses like Charlie and Ryder, then skews more to the realistic proportions for the animals they encounter on their "edutainment" tour. I think it's a perfect balance between the more realistic illustrations of Joe Flood in the Science Comics entries about sharks and dinosaurs, but more grounded than the Andy Hirsch style you see in dogs and cats, where the animals are practically Disney-fied. Since the subject matter straddles more fearsome animals that are lesser known, and leans into the idea that these creatures look "scary," I think this is the best remedy for a child friendly introduction to them in a way that is thrilling but not nightmare inducing. The fact that all these terrifying creatures in the plot are friendly (with the exception of a bullying lamprey who acts as a minion to the competition) is another point that the graphic novel is seeking to be accessible to children who may show trepidation about looking at photo realistic pictures of a vampire squid or anglerfish.

The writing is also great in providing a plot and characters to the graphic novel. Some Science Comics lean a little heavy on doling out information, but this one has an entertaining framework of a seahorse on his day off just after he gave birth to a litter of seahorse babies, when one of his kids tags along to "Larry's Fearsome Fish of Finland" vacation. The father, Charlie, and his son, Ryder, have small character arcs as Ryder is afraid to go out on his own, since he's only twenty minutes old, and Charlie confides in him that seeing scary sea monster films helps him overcome his own fears. This way, readers are given incentive to see Ryder explore and interact with the many sea creatures on the tour, as learning about them helps give him confidence. It also provides a bit of tension as Larry the sarcastic fringehead and tour guide is struggling with business, and you want to see his tour succeed (and his many friends get raises!) against the more ruthless Phil. Who is another sarcastic fringehead and takes the sarcasm the extra mile.

The end of the graphic novel includes an audition reel, sort of like an end credits sting, including the animals they couldn't find a reason to fit into the story. I think it's a cute ending, but the original one where Ryder's recommendation for "edutainment tours" helps Larry keep his business literally afloat is the stronger end. Also shout out to the "Alien" movie reference/Joseph Conrad deep sea tale by calling Larry's ship the Nostromo. A really neat hidden gem for the adult readers who also enjoy Science Comics.

I recieved a free copy from NetGalley for review.

As a last addendum, while this is a great and child friendly graphic novel, be aware that any "Moms for Bookbanning Liberty" types would absolutely hate this because it includes scientifically accurate information such as male seahorses giving birth, references to bodily functions like pooping with anatomically correct terms, and things found in nature such as male anglerfish becoming parasitic hangers on to their female partners. If you are a parent who wants to have a discussion with your child about these things before reading it, please check it out for yourself to be better prepared for their questions! If you find science too offensive and wish to prevent other parents and children from educating themselves, please consider regulating yourself to the shallow end of the reading pool.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always read a Science Comics edition because they're informative and fun. My only hangup with this one is that the seahorse dad and his seahorse kid are more of a distraction to the information shared and didn't enhance the story of these deep sea creatures. I kept thinking "get out of the way, seahorses!"

How these creatures adapt in the abyss was an awesome exploration. The colors obviously help with the tone but also the sheer volume of information a reader learns about creatures like the anglerfish. "Male anglerfish are one-tenth the size of females and unable to survive on their own. If they're lucky enough to find a female anglerfish, they latch onto her belly, permanently. Their bodies fuse with the female and they feed off her blood. As you can see, I don't limit myself to just one suitor. I can host up to eight males at a time." Or, the Pompeii worm. "Those bright red petals are it's gills. The Pompeii worm can tolerate some of the highest temperatures of any animal, up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. The worm slips out into the hot water to get nutrients... then retreats into the cooler water of the tube for oxygen." I definitely Googled some of the animals to learn more on top of what was already shared here.

Very neat but where the factual information was stronger than the story that surrounded it.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence, a marine biologist, concocts a fantastic tale in graphic novel format about a tour of the scary, deepest depth of the ocean.

Opening with a pair of seahorses mating and the male delivering birth, the father and one of his small fry hop on board Larry’s Fearsome Fish of Filmland Tour.

Filled with facts, rhymes, and puns galore, this oceanic trip is likely to elicit as many chuckles as shrieks. Graphs and charts are inserted in the frames as part of the story. Examples include a chart of the different water depth zones and a thermometer that showing freezing points and an explanation of the water pressure increasing with depth. They visit The Blobs (jellyfish), the Land of Giants (giant squid, sperm whale, oarfish), the Valley of the Vampires (cuttlefish, lamprey, viperfish, stoplight loosejaw, anglerfish), the Aliens of the Abyss (barreleye fish, Phronima amphipod), when competitor Phil shows up and sinks their ship to the deepest part of the ocean, where is it hot as “hell” (hydrothermal vents, giant tube worms, Pompeii worm, yeti crab, bacteria). It takes one of their new friends to come to their rescue…and ends with a laugh.

This scary-fun book is just right for readers in grades 1-4. Recommended.

[Katy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is AWESOME! Elementary students will absolutely devour this title. If you're a teacher, librarian, or parent whose child enjoys spooky things but you're not ready to throw them into the world of horror this one is perfect. It explores all of the deep sea creatures and gives some good spookiness without any violence. I love that it's written as a story of fish on a deep sea creature tour and yet weaves in engaging facts about each creature. This is one of those books that shows us how FUN non-fiction can be. Though there are definitely parts that are over his head, my almost 6-year-old does not want to stop reading this at night and immediately asks for more. I highly recommend adding it to any public library collection, elementary classroom or school library, or as a gift to a science, spooky, or sea-loving kiddo!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

[Alexondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

First off, I am a big fan of the Science Comics series so I was absolutely thrilled to be able to review this copy of their newest one about deep-sea creatures. This one follows a seahorse and his son as they go on a chills and thrills edutainment tour of the deep. Not only do we learn so much about the deep and its creatures, but we also get a really good storyline about fear and how to be brave/face our fears especially our fears of the ocean. I loved learning about all the different creatures through the fun storyline and engaging illustrations! Readers will be sure to love this informative and fun graphic novel just as much as all the others in the series. Can't wait to add it to my school library in the Spring!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

SCIENCE COMICS: DEEP-SEA CREATURES is another great entry in the SCIENCE COMICS series. Information about a variety of creatures living in the deepest waters is woven into a fun plot about a father and son seahorse pair who embark on a deep-sea tour featuring some of the scariest sea monster movie stars known to ocean viewers. The unique features of squids, whales, fish, and many other deep-sea dwellers and how they are used to survive are brought to light throughout the course of the book. Information is detailed, but not overwhelming. The comic format will help the book appeal to readers who might not otherwise pick up a nonfiction text about the topic. Fun artwork, fascinating content, and humor will make this a popular title with a variety of elementary readers.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational comics are like gifts that keep giving! It's an opportunity to blend the art of a graphic novel with storytelling and a learning component. Science comics nails this combo with Deep-Sea Creatures. I love that it reads like a story but it's actually teaching you some things about deep sea life that you may not have known. Definitely recommend to readers of all ages!

[Rachel Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful installment in the Science Comics series. These books are always some of my favorite nonfiction graphics! "Edu-tainment" at its finest!

This installment hasan engaging storyline, a world of deep sea creatures to explore, and just the right amount of humor sprinkled throughout. A must buy for elementary libraries!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Jennifer]

Another great installment from Science Comics. This one features many fascinating creatures from the deep that will spark interest and curiosity in any reader. I found myself pausing my reading to look up even more about the unique creatures spotlighted I'm the book. Definitely a must for any budding marine biologists!

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love deep sea creatures, so I had to read this new Science Comics book. I even placed an inter-library loan request for it. This is a great overview of deep-sea creatures, although there are so many that they couldn’t possibly feature them all. I also liked the frame narrative of the dad seahorse who is really into classic monster films.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely informative--maybe a little too much so for younger readers. The illustrations are in-depth as well as wonderfully drawn and colored. The horror-movie premise is interesting but I felt like it didn't really work well with the level of "edutainment" being explained. Still, learned some things and liked it well enough. I'm interested in checking out the one about sharks.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much potential wasted in this. I liked the thought of a comic being educational as well as funny. Unfortunately, it just didn't match up. I got lost with all the facts that we didn't actually need. There was a fun father-son story to go along with it that didn't really work out. Not sure I'll read another Science Comic.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots of information. Science Comics are some of my favorite text. It is tons of scientific information that doesn't dumb down the vocabulary, but at the same time it is completely accessible for all readers.

4 stars

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 yr old son read one page and was hooked! Didn't put the book down until he was finished.

[Halon W · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun as always--i really enjoy the science comics series

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't love the seahorse framing device, but I did really like the gallery of fascinating deep water creatures.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Science Comics series. Over the years, it seems as if there is now more story than before.
Enjoyed creatures of the deep.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and First Second Books for the digital arc.
The Science Comics series never gets old, and this one continues the fun filled delivery of information. The reader journeys into the deep sea abyss with a father and son seahorse, and the captain who takes them on a tour of the deep sea in his boat. Along the way they learn about remarkable marine life and the adaptations they have made to their habitat. Story moves fast with dialogue bubbles and bright illustrations. The last pages describe the unique sea creatures that weren't in the story, and provides a satisfying conclusion.