Comic: Event Horizon #1 Dark Descent (2025)

 

Comic Review: Event Horizon #1 Dark Descent 

A Cosmic Prelude Worth Experiencing.

The 1997 cult classic movie Event Horizon, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and released by Paramount Pictures, remains one of the most visually and psychologically intense sci-fi horrors of its era. Claustrophobic corridors, a mind-bending gravity drive and a descent into unimaginable terror made the film unforgettable. The story follows a rescue crew, including Dr. William Weir, sent to investigate the sudden reappearance of the starship Event Horizon, lost 7 years earlier during its maiden voyage. As they explore the ship, they uncovered a hellish dimension, preying on the crew’s fears and sanity.

I actually own a stunning version of the movie on DVD,  the Collector’s Edition – Special Pod Packaging. Designed to resemble a rescue pod, it perfectly captures the film’s eerie, industrial aesthetic, making it as much a display piece as a viewing experience.

Event Horizon 1# Dark Descent 
Released: August 20, 2025 
First part in a 5-part comic prequel series from IDW’s Dark line, plunges readers back into that universe with cinematic precision. It explores the fragile human dynamics, personal demons and ambitions that set the stage for the ill-fated voyage we remember from the film. 

The creative team brings this world vividly to life. Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom, ODY-C) crafts a narrative as suspenseful as it is emotionally resonant. Tristan Jones (Aliens, Ghostbusters) renders the ship with meticulous, industrial detail, while Pip Martin’s cinematic color palette transforms each page into a living, breathing environment. 

The crew is immediately compelling: Captain John Kilpack, a devoted leader carrying personal burdens; Dr. Jennifer Kwon, brilliant and quietly haunted by loss; Nia Atwell, the calm anchor who steadies the group; Devlin Conners, a navigator with secrets that could unravel the team; Dr. Peter Adjei, a doctor whose hidden vulnerabilities mask a quiet strength; Lt. Sara Tsang, a skilled officer navigating both duty and personal turmoil and Yusef Quinn, the chief engineer whose pragmatic focus on fixing systems belies a simmering frustration with the chaos around him. With all their hidden torments and secrets boiling beneath the surface, one can’t help but wonder if they are already doomed. The tension among the crew is palpable and the unfolding conflicts in this first issue leave a lingering sense of unease and sadness, drawing readers into the story’s emotional gravity. 

William, the brilliant mind behind the gravity drive, is tormented from the very first page. At a funeral, his thoughts drift to the moment he discovered his wife Claire’s tragic suicide and the artwork depicts him holding her lifeless, naked body with blood still dripping from her. Daily hellish visions of Claire calling to him, haunt his mind, adding layers of emotional weight to the story. Though William is not physically aboard the ship, his dark backstory and lingering anguish cast a long shadow, immediately immersing readers in his grief and shaping the tension of the unfolding events. This eerily grounded, intimate portrayal underscores both the human cost behind the cosmic horrors and the depths of William’s obsession.

 

 

Atmospherically, the comic feels like a blend of classic sci-fi suspense akin to Alien (1979) with the psychological, haunting undertones of Silent Hill. Quiet moments, layered with glimpses of personal struggle and dread, give the story a slow-burning intensity that lingers long after the page is turned.

As a special bonus, the issue treats readers to full, textless artwork teasing the next installment, followed by a lavish full-page gallery where each variant cover of #1 is displayed on its own page, letting fans savor every detail of the art, a true feast for collectors and a brilliant showcase of the creative team’s craft.

Dark Descent is a masterclass in slow-burn, character-driven sci-fi horror. Fans of the original film will recognize subtle nods to William’s story, while newcomers are drawn into a suspenseful, richly layered universe. The pacing, artwork and emotional depth combine to make this issue a flawless introduction.

10/10 that leaves you hungry for the next chapter.
Event Horizon #2 - Chaos Waits out October 8, 2025.

Post by: Sonny Mikszath

 

IDW’s Dark brand isn’t stopping here: upcoming releases like Twilight Zone #1 and Return to Sleepy Hollow #1 seems to really promise more cinematic, horror and suspense.