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Undertow Volume 1: Boatman's Call
Join Redum Anshargal's crew, escape Atlantis's stranglehold, and explore the savage surface world! Through a stampede of humans, warlike crustaceans, and an ice-road Mammoth hunt, the team comes face-to-face with the Amphibian, the creature that might be the key to a life on land. They expected a beast; they found a mad barbarian god!
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2014
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60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 13, 2014
Some interesting ideas presented here but the artwork is some of the worst I've seen in a mainstream comic. It was pretty much impossible to determine what was going on in the action scenes.
December 22, 2014
What if Atlantic underwater people were much advanced in every aspect than us surface crawlers? Undertow starts with a fresh premise. An explorer crew of Atlantic society comes up to check life above ground and stumbles upon cavemen, mammoths and some things that are unexpected or may be impossible too.
Undertow has a very unique idea but it also has too many problems. It starts fluently but one after another fights, it becomes repetitive. There are just too many fights taking place which do not give enough time or place to develop the story. There are also a few unnecessary sub plots which have almost no important connection to the actual story. Many have complained about the artwork but I didn't hate it that much. The ragged art complimented the story but at action sequences it fell flat and feels static whereas we expect swiftness.
This maybe just an one time average read. There won't be much to discuss nor there will be any aftermath after you finish this. But still a part of me keeps wishing if the book was better.
Undertow has a very unique idea but it also has too many problems. It starts fluently but one after another fights, it becomes repetitive. There are just too many fights taking place which do not give enough time or place to develop the story. There are also a few unnecessary sub plots which have almost no important connection to the actual story. Many have complained about the artwork but I didn't hate it that much. The ragged art complimented the story but at action sequences it fell flat and feels static whereas we expect swiftness.
This maybe just an one time average read. There won't be much to discuss nor there will be any aftermath after you finish this. But still a part of me keeps wishing if the book was better.
October 17, 2014
'Undertow Volume 1: Boatman's Call' is a story about Atlantis. It seems like it should be high adventure, but strange art and a confusing story bogs it down.
The story jumps around, but color choices in the art sort of help to keep that straight. There is a spaceship that needs to be investigated and a strange amphibian humanoid that must be hunted and found. This leads a group of explorers to the surface. They make an odd sight with their helmets full of water so they can survive. There are political machinations and powerful beings capable of violent actions. But there are too many plot points and eventually it just kind of sinks into the mud. By the end, I just didn't care and that's no way to end a graphic novel.
It has all the right ingredients, but probably just too many of them. The art is confusing and muddled and I didn't care for it. I did like some of the character and costume designs, but the art doesn't help clarify the story. I'm having a hard time recommending this one.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The story jumps around, but color choices in the art sort of help to keep that straight. There is a spaceship that needs to be investigated and a strange amphibian humanoid that must be hunted and found. This leads a group of explorers to the surface. They make an odd sight with their helmets full of water so they can survive. There are political machinations and powerful beings capable of violent actions. But there are too many plot points and eventually it just kind of sinks into the mud. By the end, I just didn't care and that's no way to end a graphic novel.
It has all the right ingredients, but probably just too many of them. The art is confusing and muddled and I didn't care for it. I did like some of the character and costume designs, but the art doesn't help clarify the story. I'm having a hard time recommending this one.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
September 26, 2014
Interesting story that ultimately has too many competing plots. Also, some of the worst art I've ever seen in a comic released by a major publisher. The story, about a rogue group of Atlanteans searching for "the Amphibian," a mutant who can breathe both on land and in water and just may be the salvation of their race, is promising. But it all gets side-tracked by a bunch of political scheming, characters who aren't distinguished enough from each other to keep clear who is who, and some seriously muddy artwork. This collection was a real struggle to get through.
April 1, 2015
Pros: thought-provoking, fresh concept
Cons: artwork during action, cussin' merfolk
I saw Steve Orlando at a NYCC panel and his book seemed just crazy enough to check out. This is a reverse-Atlantis story, wherein the Atlanteans are an advanced race of merfolk while humanity is struggling in the stone age.
As outlandish as that sounds, this book is pretty rich. The Atlanteans have established a society fiercely divided by class and engaged in constant war. This volume focuses on a sect of anarchists seeking independence. This book raises questions about the true cost of freedom and whether or not it's at all possible. The characters are introduced nicely here, developing slowly. While it's a sort of slow drip, I'm definitely interested to learn more.
My only complaints about this book are about the art and the dialogue. The art, while usually great to look at, isn't crisp. During action scenes it's often difficult to make out exactly what's going on. And the Atlanteans' dialogue sounds just like any modern-day human would. It seems out of place that a prehistoric fish-man would know what a motherfucker is, and really pulls you out of the story. Some world-building as far as culture is concerned would have been appreciated.
However, I'll still be picking up the next volume as there's plenty to enjoy here.
Cons: artwork during action, cussin' merfolk
I saw Steve Orlando at a NYCC panel and his book seemed just crazy enough to check out. This is a reverse-Atlantis story, wherein the Atlanteans are an advanced race of merfolk while humanity is struggling in the stone age.
As outlandish as that sounds, this book is pretty rich. The Atlanteans have established a society fiercely divided by class and engaged in constant war. This volume focuses on a sect of anarchists seeking independence. This book raises questions about the true cost of freedom and whether or not it's at all possible. The characters are introduced nicely here, developing slowly. While it's a sort of slow drip, I'm definitely interested to learn more.
My only complaints about this book are about the art and the dialogue. The art, while usually great to look at, isn't crisp. During action scenes it's often difficult to make out exactly what's going on. And the Atlanteans' dialogue sounds just like any modern-day human would. It seems out of place that a prehistoric fish-man would know what a motherfucker is, and really pulls you out of the story. Some world-building as far as culture is concerned would have been appreciated.
However, I'll still be picking up the next volume as there's plenty to enjoy here.
February 8, 2015
Strong flashes of promise in this Image comic - solicited, but clearly not written, as a mini-series - bogged down by poor pacing and artistic problems. Artyom's Trakhanov's storytelling is fine, with plenty of gritty, messy action sequences, but he has real difficulties distinguishing between characters. The loss of a limb, for instance, is traumatic for a character but a great blessing for the reader, who can finally tell two of the Atlantean rebel heroes apart. The colouring is effective at selling location shifts, but not actually effective at highlighting action within said locations. And the interesting part of the story - a desperate mission to find a mutated Atlantean who can breathe air and is ruling over primitive humans - runs badly out of steam. All told, an intriguing premise masks a bit of a mess.
July 30, 2016
Well, it's pretty, in an excessively line-heavy and saturated color sort of way. But the actual story here, replacing land-based life with equally evolved sea-humans, doesn't ever quite connect with me. The story's dense in its world-building, to the point that it overwhelms the actual plot in some places. The idea of the sea-dwellers trying to explore the land like humans explore underwater is interesting, but the political posturing and betrayals aren't quite as involving. Too many characters too quickly introduced and running through too much story too fast make this a hard book to dive in to. There's potential here, especially in the art and the world building, but it needs to decompress a bit more to really be enjoyable.
November 27, 2015
The premise behind this comic is that Atlantis predates human civilisation and the Atlanteans are trying to find a way to survive and evolve. Prehistoric humans fail to understand their advanced neighbours. The main characters are looking for an amphibian so that they can use its DNA to breathe air as well as water.
Characters are quite well-developed and the plot also deals with the internal politics of Atlantis and the Deliverer, their ship.
I found the digital version of this hard to follow, one character strongly resembling another. The colours also impaired understanding of each panel. I eventually gave up as it was too difficult to read and follow the story.
Characters are quite well-developed and the plot also deals with the internal politics of Atlantis and the Deliverer, their ship.
I found the digital version of this hard to follow, one character strongly resembling another. The colours also impaired understanding of each panel. I eventually gave up as it was too difficult to read and follow the story.
November 17, 2014
A completely poor title in every respect. The characters all look exactly the same – like badly drawn zombies, so just imagine how easy they are to discern when wearing identical helmets. Their names are execrable nonsense. The plot isn't much better, concerning some quest to find the salvation of the Atlantean race, and/or an insurrection on a space craft, and/or – well, something to do with class, inheritance, some kind of relationship… I just couldn't tell, and just couldn't care.
March 2, 2025
I think the art was the best part of this. The style was really beautiful and I could look at the pages all day. I do think the art made it hard to follow the story and I found myself rereading sections a lot to understand what’s going on. I didn’t think this was necessarily a bad thing because it forced me to appreciate the images more. The whole concept is really cool and is a take on Atlantis that I would have never thought of. Redum is so hot I honestly only read it for him. Def worth reading if you can get a cheap collection or find it online. I would like to know where the story would go if it got a second volume.
August 12, 2021
I am absolutely in love with Artyom Trakhanov'S art and its at some of it's absolute best in this collaboration with Steve Orlando.
The tale of a group of rebel Atlantean's trying to make it on their own topside away from their pre-ordained and cast system lives below is fantastically weaved. And the character of the "The Amphibian" is a wonderfully twisted creation.
I wish this had went on for far more issues. A hidden gem.
The tale of a group of rebel Atlantean's trying to make it on their own topside away from their pre-ordained and cast system lives below is fantastically weaved. And the character of the "The Amphibian" is a wonderfully twisted creation.
I wish this had went on for far more issues. A hidden gem.
January 28, 2019
Incredibly imagined science fiction. As a political parable, it works well and makes its point without being blunt or artless.
The visual art is edgy and dynamic, but I occasionally had a hard time figuring out which character I was looking at.
The visual art is edgy and dynamic, but I occasionally had a hard time figuring out which character I was looking at.
April 25, 2019
Cool premise/setting, but the story is a bit hard to follow. The art has a unique gritty style with scene changes conveyed with colour palette changes, but I found it hard to distinguish characters on many occasions.
April 29, 2018
Good concept. I like the idea of looking at the Atlanteans as a precursor race/civilization during the stone age. It's very visceral and colourful.
May 21, 2020
2.5 stars.
Cool concept, beautiful art but way too much swearing and trails off somewhat. I wouldn't read another of the series. (If there are any, I haven't had the urge to look)
Cool concept, beautiful art but way too much swearing and trails off somewhat. I wouldn't read another of the series. (If there are any, I haven't had the urge to look)
October 25, 2016
Interesting graphic novel with a lot of potential. The story is a reverse-Atlantis setup, where Atlantis is a race of technologically-adept merfolk who evolved long before humans did. Similarly, the plot is best described as reverse Captain Nemo, where the rebel leader Redum Anshargal leads a band of exiles out of corrupt/decaying Atlantean society to study the surface world circa the Pliocene. Instead of humans in diving gear underwater fighting giant squid, we have Atlanteans in water-tank suits fighting mammoths and chasing after a merfolk mutant, the sadistic Amphibian. Can you see why this collection sounded pretty awesome?
Apparently this was a limited-run series that's a part of a much bigger world, and it feels like it. There's a ton of rich backstory and setting here, but not a lot of it is explained or detailed. Many characters exist as two-dimensional cliches as there isn't enough time to flesh out their backstories and give them depth. Several plot-points are introduced, but only part of one plot thread is resolved. Far too much of the comic consists of repetitive, chaotic fight scenes which wastes valuable real-estate that could have been spent on that awesome setting. Really, you can tell something's wrong when I'm ask for more exposition and less repetitive battles.
I seem to be alone in liking the art -- it's not earth-shattering but I like the bold style and '80s color theme (lots of vivid, contrasting color combinations, like pink/teal)... It's crazy, alien, moody, visually stunning, but a bit too confusing and incoherent. It can get muddy, especially during those fight scenes, and since it's designed to evoke an underwater view it's a bit odd. Most of all, it's hard to follow from one frame to the other. Combined with the story's lack of context, the chaotic art doesn't help.
Really, I'm most disappointed that the six-issue series didn't transform into a longer work. As it is, it's an intriguing concept with a lot to work with... but it's not quite there yet. The story's bad balance between "pointless fight scenes" and "cool world building" really detracts, and what you're left with is a single story from a longer tale. It has a lot of potential and may be worth a look if it sounds interesting, and would be a worthwhile buy if you can snag it on sale somewhere. (I bought it on Comixology at a buck an issue, and think it was worth what I paid.)
Apparently this was a limited-run series that's a part of a much bigger world, and it feels like it. There's a ton of rich backstory and setting here, but not a lot of it is explained or detailed. Many characters exist as two-dimensional cliches as there isn't enough time to flesh out their backstories and give them depth. Several plot-points are introduced, but only part of one plot thread is resolved. Far too much of the comic consists of repetitive, chaotic fight scenes which wastes valuable real-estate that could have been spent on that awesome setting. Really, you can tell something's wrong when I'm ask for more exposition and less repetitive battles.
I seem to be alone in liking the art -- it's not earth-shattering but I like the bold style and '80s color theme (lots of vivid, contrasting color combinations, like pink/teal)... It's crazy, alien, moody, visually stunning, but a bit too confusing and incoherent. It can get muddy, especially during those fight scenes, and since it's designed to evoke an underwater view it's a bit odd. Most of all, it's hard to follow from one frame to the other. Combined with the story's lack of context, the chaotic art doesn't help.
Really, I'm most disappointed that the six-issue series didn't transform into a longer work. As it is, it's an intriguing concept with a lot to work with... but it's not quite there yet. The story's bad balance between "pointless fight scenes" and "cool world building" really detracts, and what you're left with is a single story from a longer tale. It has a lot of potential and may be worth a look if it sounds interesting, and would be a worthwhile buy if you can snag it on sale somewhere. (I bought it on Comixology at a buck an issue, and think it was worth what I paid.)
November 19, 2014
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.0 of 5
Atlantis. Atlanteans exploring the surface world (in water-filled 'space' suits). Mammoths. Crazy gods. And the search for a DNA key that might bridge the gap between the under-water dwellers and the surface-walkers. This sounds like an ambitious, high adventure book, which is what had me request it. Unfortunately, it's a bit too ambitious and lacks support to pull it off.
It's nearly impossible to talk about this book without first discussing the art. The art is poor. In my digital edition, the inks and colors are muddy and it is often difficult to tell the characters apart.
The over-all concept is interesting. A race of Atlanteans, more advanced and pre-dating humans and the quest to find a way to survive on land. But the political tensions and social status of the characters seemed to drag down the story. I quickly became bored, and, as stated earlier, there was no support (art) to keep me interested.
Interestingly, the book includes some illustrated short stories. The art is much more sketch-like ... simple and lacking great detail ... but much more interesting and easier to follow. The stories are likewise more enjoyable and actually managed to have me interested in the book.
Looking for a good book? There isn't much to recommend for this graphic novel.
Atlantis. Atlanteans exploring the surface world (in water-filled 'space' suits). Mammoths. Crazy gods. And the search for a DNA key that might bridge the gap between the under-water dwellers and the surface-walkers. This sounds like an ambitious, high adventure book, which is what had me request it. Unfortunately, it's a bit too ambitious and lacks support to pull it off.
It's nearly impossible to talk about this book without first discussing the art. The art is poor. In my digital edition, the inks and colors are muddy and it is often difficult to tell the characters apart.
The over-all concept is interesting. A race of Atlanteans, more advanced and pre-dating humans and the quest to find a way to survive on land. But the political tensions and social status of the characters seemed to drag down the story. I quickly became bored, and, as stated earlier, there was no support (art) to keep me interested.
Interestingly, the book includes some illustrated short stories. The art is much more sketch-like ... simple and lacking great detail ... but much more interesting and easier to follow. The stories are likewise more enjoyable and actually managed to have me interested in the book.
Looking for a good book? There isn't much to recommend for this graphic novel.
December 3, 2014
I'm unsure whether this was a low quality resolution in the copy I received, regardless I found the art style and colour palette to be lacking in this graphic novel. Often the art and the colours interfered with the readability of the text, with the plotline already difficult to follow in places, this was a serious detraction.
I found the plot lines difficult to follow as several were introduced in quick succession and not adequately separated. The author needed to take more time with world building and communicating these fundamentals to the reader.
This graphic novel would be more suitable for those who often enjoy mindlessly violence and not those interested in the political aspect promised in the blurb.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I found the plot lines difficult to follow as several were introduced in quick succession and not adequately separated. The author needed to take more time with world building and communicating these fundamentals to the reader.
This graphic novel would be more suitable for those who often enjoy mindlessly violence and not those interested in the political aspect promised in the blurb.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 13, 2014
On the ship Deliverer, under the command of rebel leader Redum Anshargal, a group of Atlanteans flee an oppressive Atlantis in search of freedom, which means finding a way to live on land. Characters and plot seem confused and confusing. Redum doesn’t convince as a charismatic leader. Ukinnu, the new recruit through whom the story is largely told, is a spoiled rich kid who doesn’t like the life mummy and daddy had planned for him. Much of the story involves a search for the fabled Amphibian, who may hold the key to surviving on land. When we finally see Atlantis, it’s instantly recognisable – the rich live the high life while an underclass struggles to survive in ghettos. But this is only apparent at the end of this collection. Maybe our heroes will address the injustices in Atlantis head-on in future chapters, but by this point it’s difficult to care.
September 17, 2014
I thought that the ideas and characters in Undertow were interesting, and I liked the textured art, but the combination of the textured art and the number of color palettes used, and the frequency with which they changed, didn't really work for me. To me, the colors produced a visual mud that made the art chaotic and hard to digest.
I think that the inversion of land and water is interesting, as well as the exploration of social ideas, such as the balance between comfort and true freedom, and the tenuous balance of a fringe group who has set out to create a better society through sharing a common vision.
I think that the inversion of land and water is interesting, as well as the exploration of social ideas, such as the balance between comfort and true freedom, and the tenuous balance of a fringe group who has set out to create a better society through sharing a common vision.
January 29, 2015
3 с минусом на самом деле. Идея просто отличная, персонажи вроде клевые, но очень мало именно про них, много разворотов занимает экшн, при чем из-за рисунка мало что понятно в этом месиве. Со временем к нему привыкаешь, но все равно остается ощущение, что авторы не смогли впихнуть себя в рамки стандартных номеров. Дай им страниц 30 вместо стандартных 20 и было бы гораздо понятнее и круче. А так сумбур какой-то...
Если будет продолжение я может даже почитаю, мир очень интересный, есть довольно харизматичные персонажи.
Если будет продолжение я может даже почитаю, мир очень интересный, есть довольно харизматичные персонажи.
July 27, 2015
It had potential however, it just seemed too convoluted and all over the place, I couldn't even get vested in any of the characters.
You have a group going on an expedition from Atlantis to the Surface World, so that's interesting. Even the fighting scenes couldn't really save this one for me, it just needed something more, I can't put my finger on it, but something was off.
The series has potential so I'm not gonna say this was bad, I'm just gonna say for an opening it was okay.
Rating 3 out of 5
Read@Book
You have a group going on an expedition from Atlantis to the Surface World, so that's interesting. Even the fighting scenes couldn't really save this one for me, it just needed something more, I can't put my finger on it, but something was off.
The series has potential so I'm not gonna say this was bad, I'm just gonna say for an opening it was okay.
Rating 3 out of 5
Read@Book
January 27, 2016
Атлантида как Древний Рим в доисторические времена: политические интриги, военное дело, восстания, упадничество, поиск выхода (наружу). Нарисовано своеобразно: детализировано, с милыми отпечатками пальцев, в выдержанной цветовой палитре. Сюжет перекликается с "Капитаном Немо" и прочим Жюлем Верном. В целом так себе.
October 10, 2014
I do not like it neither history nor the illustrations seemed to me particularly beautiful.
Non mi é piaciuta né la storia né i disegni mi sono sembrati particolarmente belli.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Non mi é piaciuta né la storia né i disegni mi sono sembrati particolarmente belli.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS FOR THE PREVIEW!
September 28, 2014
Steve Orlando wrote a fantastic story but Artyom Trakanov's art made it difficult to get a grasp of what exactly was happening on the pages. I'm sure I would have adored this title if the art was nearly as good as the writing. Damn, what a missed opportunity...
September 24, 2014
I wrote about this comic here.
May 22, 2015
Interesting ideas poorly handled. The art is ok, but is a bit hard to follow. Writing is also pretty confusing.
February 13, 2015
Interesting idea marred by confusing artwork and muddled storytelling.
May 22, 2015
Nothing really that special for me..didn't really hold my attention.
August 16, 2015
Decent ideas that don't land, murky art that's hard to follow, dialogue that just feels awkward.
I went into this book wanting to like it, it just wouldn't let me.
I went into this book wanting to like it, it just wouldn't let me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews