Graphic Novels- Low

Low, a dystopian tale of a future where humanity is forced to live in the oceans because of a dying sun, is horrific, frightening, beautiful, ugly, and hopeless. Unless you are Stel Caine. Rick Remender has created her character to show the strength of the human spirit in the face of an endless barrage of despair and he does so with aplomb. In fact, her hope is infectious and one of the most powerful threads throughout the first four books.

Stel's family, Johl (husband), Tajo and Della (daughters), and Marik (son) deals with tragedy that would destroy almost any one person. When all seems lost, however, Stel's hope inspires and pushes them forward. Each of them makes choices that allows them to survive but eventually realize that life is about more than just survival. Throughout the series, Greg Tocchini's drawings have amazing details and fluidity and immerse the reader in the world. His color work, and as of issue #8, Dave McCaig's, is stunning. The character's feelings are reflected in the color choices and support the fantastic writing.

Other than Stel and her hope, there are two driving forces in Low: the Helm and the probe. The Helm is the most powerful weapon in all of the ocean- a suit that enables the pilot to defend, or destroy, an entire city. This suit can only be piloted by the Caine family and is coveted by many. The probe is one of many that were sent out to explore the universe for a habitable world. This particular probe may have retrieved data about a new home for humanity. The only way to get to it is travel to the surface and be the first people to set foot on a scorched Earth.

These titles are rated M for Mature because of nudity, sexual content, and violence.

The first four books are:

The Delirium of Hope

Before the Dawn Burns Us

Shore of the Dying Light

Outer Aspects of Inner Attitudes

Check out this SoundCloud podcast, Down and Nerdy, to hear more:

https://soundcloud.com/down-and-nerdy-podcast/episode-98-an-interview-with-rick-remender-of-image-comics-low

Remender, Rick (author) and Tocchini, Greg (illustrator). (2015). Low: The Delirium of Hope. California: Image.

ISBN: 978-1-63215-194-0. Paperback: $9.99.

Remender, Rick (author) and Tocchini, Greg (illustrator). (2015). Low: Before the Dawn Burns Us. California: Image.

ISBN: 978-1-63215-469-9. Paperback: $14.99.

Remender, Rick (author) and Tocchini, Greg (illustrator). (2016). Low: Shore of the Dying Light. California: Image.

ISBN: 978-1-63215-708-9. Paperback: $14.99.

Remender, Rick (author) and Tocchini, Greg (illustrator). (2017). Low: Outer Aspects of Inner Attitudes. California: Image.

ISBN: 978-1-5343-0229-7. Paperback: $16.99.