Alaska is America’s last great frontier. For ages, it has lured countless men to its snow-covered lands in search of riches. It has also led just as many people there for its natural beauty. Additionally, it has also led countless paranormal enthusiasts to its peaks and valleys because of the fabled “Alaska Triangle.” The northern counterpart to the Bermuda Triangle, it has been the center of a variety of unexplained disappearances of people and planes alike since 1972. This coming March, it will not be Alaska’s only center of interest for paranormal enthusiasts. Thanks to comics publisher Mad Cave Studios, Mount Denali (yes, Denali, not McKinley) will become its own center of paranormal interest with the debut of the new horror/science fiction series, Dark Pyramid. Set to debut March 12, the series is sure to appeal to people investigating the Alaska Triangle and to paranormal enthusiasts alike with its story. The story will be discussed shortly. The story’s writing plays its own important part to the series’ debut issue and will be discussed a little later. The artwork featured throughout the story rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of the debut issue of Dark Pyramid. All things considered they make Dark Pyramid #1 a mostly successful launch to this new series from Mad Cave Studios.
Dark Pyramid #1, the debut issue of Mad Cave Studios’ new horror/sci-fi comics series, is a mostly successful start to this new title. Its success comes in large part through its featured story. The story in question centers on the disappearance of social media influencer Hooky Hidalgo. After falling during hi latest outing, Hooky discovers something curious on the mountain, but just as he does, his live feed dies, leaving his countless followers wondering what has happened, including his girlfriend, Becca Burgos. Writer Paul Tobin never reveals what Hooky Found in this debut issue, but gives a very tiny hint in a picture of a pole with what looks like hieroglyphics carved into it. The reach of Hooky’s influence is obvious when Becca makes her way to the nearest town in search of Hooky. There is not a single room to be found…that is until the local police chief and one of his officers offers to let her stay at a friend’s cabin. Little does Becca know that for her, things are about to take a terrifying turn as a strange woman appears out of nowhere to allegedly save her from something. That something in question turns out to be a dark spirit. Tobin closes out the issue with the spirit about to attack Becca, leaving quite the cliffhanger. One cannot help, knowing what one knows about the Alaska Triangle, if the spirit is in fact the fabled Tlingit shape shifter, Kushtaka. This again despite Mount Denali not being part of the Alaska Triangle. It would be interesting for Tobin to have taken that lore and used it as part of this story.
The story that Paul Tobin has crafted for the debut issue of Dark Pyramid builds a strong foundation for the new series’ lead-off issue. It is in itself just part of what makes this presentation worth reading. The general writing plays just as much into the presentation as the story. The general writing includes the scene transitions, the dialogue, and other related items. Hooky’s general presentation style is an example thereof. The way that he presents himself to his audiences is exactly how so many social media influencers put themselves out there to their audiences. It is so cheesy (yes, this critic said that) and he is every part that social media celeb. On another note, the way in which Tobin makes the story progress is so fluid throughout its 23-page run. That is actually done simply through the backdrops. Case in point is the transition from Hooky’s disappearance to Becca’s search for him. Tobin goes directly from the last shot of her in her room following his disappearance to the snowy regions of Denali National Park. Audiences know immediately through that simple change of scenery that one act has ended and the next begun. Believe it or not, there are some books out there that fail at something so simple yet thankfully Tobin has, here, succeeded. The story’s progression works so well not just through this aspect of scene changes but also in how Tobin has Becca pick up where Hooky left off. Thanks to how Tobin wrote this into the story, readers themselves are able to easily follow what happens, so kudos are in order for Tobin just as much for the writing as for the story itself.
Of course, the story and its writing are not the book’s only positives. The artwork featured throughout is deserving of its own praise. Crafted by artist PJ Holden and colored by Sara Colella, the book’s artwork actually has a little bit of a cartoony look (which is not a bad thing). At the same time there is also a certain rough look about the characters and settings. That balance of soft and rough gives each cell a unique look that is sure to appeal to readers in its own way. Colella’s work coloring the issue gives each scene a certain richness and depth, adding to the aesthetic appeal. That overall visual appeal, paired with the engagement and entertainment ensured through the story and its writing, makes the debut issue of Dark Pyramid all the more worth the read and a good start to 2025 for Mad Cave Studios.
Dark Pyramid #1, the debut issue of Mad Cave Studios’ new horror/science fiction series, is a positive lead-off to the title. That is due in part to its story, which one cannot help but wonder was influenced by the paranormal tales of the infamous Alaksa Triangle. It builds on those tales and creates a whole new gripping paranormal tale, albeit fictional. The writing that went into the story makes it flow fluidly from beginning to end. That includes the general dialogue and scene changes. Speaking of the scenes, the artwork featured throughout the various scenes is of its own appeal. That is because of the richness and depth of color and style in each cell. It creates a positive visual appeal that when paired with the story and writing, makes Dark Pyramid #1 a presentation that is certain to generate plenty of excitement for this series. In turn it makes this debut a welcome early entry to 2025 for Mad Cave Studios.
Dark Pyramid #1 is scheduled for release in comics shops nationwide March 12. More information on this and other titles from Mad Cave Studios is available at:
Website: https://madcavestudios.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadCaveStudios
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadCaveStudios
