Quicksand #1-5, Review
Are you looking for a comic series featuring horrific creatures, badass soldiers and a whole lot of action? Quicksand by Jonathan Hendric, with art by Debora Lancianese, could be the comic for you.
Quicksand #1-5 are published by Scout Comics. A swarm of monsters climbs out of a bottomless pit in Egypt. They tear through anything in their way. They retreat as quickly as they arrive, leaving the planet in shock. A team of elite specialists, "Canary One," is sent into the pit to fight back and discover more. However, they don't return, and the world must prepare for another attack.
Let's start with the art. Debora Lancianese draws with Sunil Ghegre colouring. Together, they produce a horrifyingly beautiful comic. The creature designs are incredible, which they needed to be in a story like this. They are large and nasty in all the right ways. These monsters are depicted as huge, menacing, and repulsive in all the right ways. There's just enough detail to make them feel real. The horror elements are incredibly well done - someone's face melting off shouldn't look that good. Faces are always a key part of comics like this. Lancianese nails it, delivering a wide range of emotions that always feel authentic.
The use of vibrant colours by Sunhil Ghagre in this comic series is quite surprising. Going for a darker look would have been easy, but the bold choice of vibrant colours pays off. Even in underground scenes, there are a few dark backgrounds, but everything is clear and visible. There are moments where the horror aspect is lost because everything is so visible. However, the vibrant colouring makes the comic engaging and less horror-esque. On the whole, this serves the comic well.
Cristian Docolomansky handles the lettering in the comic. He does an excellent job - it's clear and easy to read throughout. Occasionally, a highlighted word pops out of the speech bubble for emphasis - a nice touch. In the final issue, we see some impressive use of different colours for a specific character. However, one double-page spread in the final chapter is less legible than it should be. A text box would have helped there. Apart from that particular spread, the lettering is brilliant throughout the comic.
As for the story, Jonathan Hendric has a lot to pack into five issues. He does a terrific job of conveying everything you need to know. There's the occasional flashback page, and bursts of pure horror before cutting to calmer moments. The characters are a great mix - some emotionally invested, others just wanting to kill monsters. The plot is straightforward. The storytelling comes at you hard and fast, so you can sit back and enjoy the ride. The characters are well-developed. Some you root for, and some you can't wait to see get what they deserve.
Overall, Quicksand is a great series. With its fast-paced action and satisfying moments, it's sure to capture your attention. The incredible designs of the monsters will leave you wanting more of them, but you don't need more. Across five issues, you get just the right amount of monster action. It's enough to show they're a genuine threat - and would be nightmarish if real. And you generally get the answers you want come the end, which is always nice. You might not get all the answers, but a bit of mystery is good. It's a series that makes me want to seek out more from these creators - and I will!
If you're a fan of sci-fi, monsters, and good storytelling, I highly recommend this series. It ticks all the boxes to be a great read. It could have been spread across more issues. But the series works well at five and delivers on many fronts. You can purchase physical and digital copies over at scoutcomics.com - and you really should! They also have some great extras like shirts and mugs for true fans of the series.
Rating: 4.5/5