The Cull, Volume 1
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Mattia De Iulis
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: April 2024
Superstar writer Kelly Thompson and acclaimed artist Mattia De Iulis team up once again for their first creator-owned series, the science fiction adventure The Cull. Previously working together on Jessica Jones: Blind Spot for Marvel Comics, The Cull is published by Image Comics.
In a seaside town, five friends set off to shoot a short film near a forbidden rock by the shore. It’s their final summer together before they all go their seperate ways, but one member is hiding a secret motivation for the shoot. Cleo’s trying to find her missing brother, unbeknownst to her friends. Their adventure takes them to an almost alien liminal space between worlds, where things change drastically for our loveable protagonists. Stylised like an 80’s sci-fi adventure such as E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial, with a heavy dose of Power Rangers influence, this comic will be sure to appeal to genre fans and anyone with a passing interest. This trade collects the first five issues of the series, which was originally announced as a miniseries. It’s a great self-contained read, but I’m sure I’m not the only one dying for more.
The science fiction and mystery elements of these series are fleshed out and interesting. Whilst it’s not necessaily inventing new concepts or ideas, it’s combining a number of different influences into something new and unique. The floral, pink and deadly liminal space our characters find themselves in is brilliantly well designed, equal parts intriguing and frightening, and brought to life brilliantly in the writing and the artwork. It captures that tight-rope balance of horror and intrigue so well, leaving the reader with more questiosn than answers. There is a superpower element to the series, which does feel a little neglected in terms of page presence, but ultimately supports the plot and themes well enough that it makes up for the lack of explanation or exploration.
Kelly Thompson has exploded in popularity in the last few years, and you can see why. Her writing style strikes a great balance of broad appeal and unique style, and she’s got a great knack for dialogue. Each character has a distinctive voice and traits, with a good mix of soft, empathetic moments and kick-ass action beats. Combine that with some genuinely unnerving moments of science fiction intrigue, and a palpable sense of adventure, and you’ve got a winning mixture for this book.
The characters in this series are sure to be loveable and sympathetic to the target audience. All five core cast members get a moment to shine, which allows the series to feel well-rounded in its character development. Cleo is likely the most well-developed, as her grief and trauma fuel the plot of this initial arc. This series is ultimately about her coming to terms with what’s happened, and you her experiences are handled with empathy and care. Lux is also a highlight, a strong-minded and hot-headed member who helps fully enrich the group dynamic. I am excited to see how these characters change and grow going forward, as I think the other members of the cast still have a lot of room to develop.
The artwork by Mattia De Iulus may not be for everyone. He’s got a photo-realistic style that may not appeal to those with notions of what a comic ‘should’ look like. However, those who can get on board are in for a treat. His visual style dominates the book, and every page I was stunned by the level of detail and control he had over the page. Thompson completely lets him off the leash, and he can draw just about whatever he wants how he wants to. It’s fantastic stuff, and does so much for the atmosphere of the book. It’s got such a distinct visual identity, and it lends itself well to the movie comparisons and homages. I hope him and Thompson continue to work together.
Overall, The Cull is a wonderful adventure, taking its characters and the reader on a journey of acceptance and growth. Styled with a classic, Steven Spielberg-style flare, and a Power Rangers influenced sensibility, it’s a great read which keeps up the winning streak of collaborators Thompson and De Iulis. It’s sure to be a hit with readers, and well worth checking out if you’re remotely curious. It takes some risks, but looks to have an exciting future ahead of it.
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