PREVIEW: Dark Engine #1 by Ryan Burton & John Bivens

In the past few years Image Comics has been releasing unique comics that are full interesting ideas and creativity. Following this pattern this week is the début of Dark Engine, an ongoing dark-fantasy series by writer Ryan Burton and artist John Bivens. Set a world full of horrible Lovecraftian style monsters, Dark Engine isn’t your traditional fantasy series. Expect plenty of dark imagery, gore and twisted magic.

Dark Engine #1 cover by John Bivens. Image Comics 2014.

The series focuses on Sym, who has been sent into the distant past in order to murder her creator’s enemy. Armed with a ribsword, Sym slashes her way through this dangerous world with the intention of fixing the world she came from. Although her creators, a group of twisted alchemists, don’t realise that the engine that powers her is sentient. This lack of knowledge will be their downfall as Sym marks her own path through her life, with the aide of the engine.

Biven’s art is detailed and captures the gore of a world I would definitely not want to live in. As you will see in the preview below, John Bivens has illustrated a world full of danger and horrific monsters. It also seems to be a varied world with the preview pages showing desert and jungle locations, as well as plenty of dangerous looking creatures.

This series has been endorsed by well respected artist J.H Williams III (Batwoman, Sandman: Overture). “Dark Engine narratively is many things; an otherworldly horrific poetic movement that is immediately immersive,” he said in a recent press release. Furthermore he went onto say “Image too does not flinch, giving us great comics with profound perspectives, daring to ask there be no limitations. Dark Engine has found the right home. Buy it, read it, I know I will.”

Dark Engine #1 is available in all good comic book stores and digitally from July 16th.

Take a look at 6 page preview below.