I wanted to review this comic because I’m fascinated by Antarctica. The frozen wasteland certainly makes a compelling backdrop for the mysteries and conspiracies that make up this story. At its core, though, the comic is about much more than that. It’s about loss and grief and the overwhelming need to ask “Why?” in situations where there may not be a satisfactory answer.

When Hannah was young, her father went missing while working in Antarctica. The event sent her life into a years-long downward spiral of crime and poverty—until a kindhearted friend helped her get back on her feet. Then, when everything is suddenly taken away from her again, Hannah is faced with a choice: return to that downward spiral into oblivion, or move forward.

Choosing the latter, Hannah latches onto something she can have some control over and dedicates herself to solving the mystery of what happened to her father all those years ago. To that end, she applies for a job at a research station in Antarctica. Will her father still be there? Will she be able to find him, either dead or alive? The conspiracy begins to unfold.

This is a great beginning to what’s shaping up to be a compelling story. There’s already a host of conspiracies and strange goings-on, and we’ve only just scratched the surface. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

More than that, though, I’m loving the emotional core of the story. Before we even get to Antarctica, we get to experience Hannah’s journey and see the forces that drive her: the sense of loss and frustration that compels her to go straight to the most dangerous place in the world, just to solve a mystery whose solution might not even be there. Whatever is there, though, she’s determined to find it and will do whatever it takes to get the answers—and the closure—that she needs.

This comic is from the same creative team that did the Clodagh series for which I reviewed a few issues last year—and which I also really like. Writer Simon Birks has a great knack for creating deep and complex characters and throwing them into thrilling and compelling situations. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Hannah in the next issue.

Creative Team: Simon Birks (writer), Willi Roberts (artist and Cover A), Lyndon White (letterer and Cover B)
Publisher: Top Cow / Image Comics
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