Are you a fan of HBO’s True Detective? Sure you are. And if you’ve watched the most recent season of the show, Night Country, you probably once again got suckered into a supernatural mystery that wasn’t actually really supernatural at all. If those previous sentences resonate with you, may I present Mad Cave Studios‘ Dark Pyramid #1, a book that gives the icy detective vibes of Night Country while diving right into the bizarre supernatural aspects?
Written by Paul Tobin with art by P.J. Holden, the book kicks off with a YouTube celeb named Hooky Hidalgo stumbling on a strange temple in Mount Denali in Alaska… And disappearing. The focus quickly turns to his girlfriend, another streamer who is looking to track him down. And as soon as she arrives in the last town he was seen in discovers not only is the town full of fans, she’s also way in over her head.
Tobin expertly balances social media commentary and scares throughout the issue while not holding back on the crazier aspects of what’s happening. There’s a disturbing, creeping dread throughout the first issue, nicely offset by Holden’s art — which is reminiscent of a more clean-lined and less watercolored Jeff Lemire.
Also, laudably, this isn’t the sort of thing that will murkily stretch out the mystery for issues at a time. We’re right in it at the end of issue one in a wild way, with forces aligning against Hooky’s girlfriend to make her already treacherous hike to the titular pyramid even more harrowing. It’s entirely possible we might be done with the True Detective-style in this issue, and on to other things in the next. Whatever that next issue brings, though, you’ll be completely hooked (Hooky-ed?) by the end of issue #1.
Dark Pyramid #1 Rating:
Dark Pyramid #1 Official Synopsis:
Hooky Hidalgo, adventurist and popular live streamer, has gone missing while climbing Mt. Denali in Alaska! When his girlfriend, Becca, arrives at the base of the mountain to retrace his steps, she soon discovers something beyond the dreamy and impressive landscape. There’s a conspiracy deep within the heart of Denali itself—a dark pyramid, silent, waiting. Becca—and the scores of Hooky fans determined to either find him or find some fun—will face death, avalanches….and monsters to find the truth.
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