Scott Snyder is a sneaky devil. Lulling us all into a false sense of security, he opens up a combined can of whoop-ass and the bizarre with The Wake #2. What seemed to start off as a simple monster story, one that incorporated some well worn sci-fi plot devices, deepens considerably here. Something is happening, something that will incorporate the past and the future, all in this one point in time. A point submerged in the cold and murky depths of the ocean.
The Wake #2 is split into four sections. The first, titled “The Descent,” is three pages set one million years ago. A mastodon lays dying, riddled with spears and arrows. It languishes by the edge of the sea. Erupting to steal the carcass is a megalodon shark, a creature measuring in at approximately one hundred feet. As it carries the dead animal back to the sea, a swarm of humanoid creatures rush into the sea and attack the shark. Interestingly, these humanoid creatures look like offshoots of the aquatic creature currently being held captive.
Bringing us to section two, “The Raindrop.” Our heroine, Dr. Archer, and the team of scientists brought together to study the creature begin pontificating on what it could be. The idea of the raindrop is that this creature is the first ripple in a wave that creates folklore. Whatever this creature is, it’s the “patient zero” of legends like the Mermaids Of Assyria or the Sirens Of Greece. Dr. Archer offers the most compelling idea of what the creature is, one that incorporates our evolution and how humans broke off from our primate ancestors. It’s a fascinating idea, and one that is actually scientifically sound. I get the idea that Snyder wanted to make sure the science of The Wake was realistic. It definitely adds something to the story.
From there, Snyder begins to open up the oddity of his creation. Part three, “The Nocturne,” delves into the darker side of the creature. One of its victims on the ocean station gets involved in a sexual head-trip that seems to emanate from the creature. Dr. Archer, who seems to have a personal connection to the creature, is on the verge of discovering what its screams mean when chaos erupts – including the bizarre entrance of Archer’s son, who could not possibly be there. Part four, “The Tides,” jumps back to the future, showing the punky girl and her pet dolphin from issue #1. “The Tides” is one splash page where the moon blows up and the sea begins to unleash itself full throttle.
Snyder’s gift for storytelling is exemplified here. In lesser hands, The Wake would be a mess – an uncohesive patchwork of sci-fi clichés. Snyder avoids those pitfalls by weaving folklore, humanity, legend, and science into the plotline. These aren’t just sea monsters, they have a real place in our evolution. They aren’t just brainless beasts, they can touch us on a subconscious level. Then there’s the whole future flood-world section. How does that all fit together? With The Wake, Snyder takes a jigsaw puzzle and shines a light on each piece as he clicks it in. We’re still in the dark over the finished puzzle, but watching it come together is a treat.
Sean Murphy. I love his art. There’s a sense of urgency and darkness to how Murphy pencils. He’s able to communicate the tension of the story with his characters and settings. The deep sea ocean station feels suffocating, the interpersonal issues are written across faces for all to read. Murphy’s style is so unique, so given to massive details that he brings out aspects of the story you wouldn’t expect, but are totally necessary. The uneasy darkness in the backgrounds, the subtext of fear beneath all the human faces, the hints of intelligence in the creature – all very subtle, and all wonderfully executed.
Like its antagonist, The Wake sneaks up on you. Its creepy, tense, and claustrophobic story emerges from the depths and drags you into it.
(4.5 Story, 4.5 Art)
