“Yesterday’s” Comic> Michael Turner’s Fathom: Cannon Hawke–Beginnings #1

“Always when I forget my umbrella….”

Michael Turner’s Fathom: Cannon Hawke: Beginnings #1

Aspen Comics (digital copy–April, 2011)

WRITER: Olivia Chadha

ARTIST: Koi Turnbull

COLORISTS: Peter Steigerwald & Christina Strain

COVER A ART: Michael Turner (credited on cover)

LETTERING: Dreamer Design

EDITORS: Frank Mastromauro & Vince Hernandez

Cannon arrives in Tokyo to meet a scientist friend who believes he has uncovered the reason for 12 weeks. Cannon says some people blame the “blue sun god” but the scientist has discovered some kind of substance that may be tied to the phenomenon. Before he can explain further thugs shoot him through the window. When Cannon confronts them they run off, one yelling into his mic that Cannon is here and phase two must start immediately. He grabs another thug, but his suit electrocutes him before Cannon can get answers out of the guy. Cannon considered not showing up before, but now he’s very invested in solving this mystery.

What they got right: A lot happens in only seven pages, and with larger panels than in the Golden Age comics I’ve been reviewing. We get our mystery set up right away with good pacing and beautiful artwork.

What they got wrong: If you’re not familiar with the world of this comic you might not connect as well since who Cannon is and what a “blue sun god” is. Most likely the latter is tied to the Blue, and with my own scattershot introduction to this world I’m still not completely sure what the “Blue” and the “Black” are. I’m just aware that different undersea tribes are tied to either and the character the company is named after is a product of both AND raised as a normal human, thus being a daughter of three worlds.

What I think overall: There’s a fascinating little universe here and one I’d love to be able to check out someday. This is a good comic, but only if you have some idea what the concept is.