Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Comics Necropolis #2 - How Should This Work.

      Daniel Gehen
      March 18, 2012
      Columns, Mission Professional
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • 5.0

      Review: Batman Universe #1 Is One Of The Best Batman In Years

      Daniel Gehen
      July 16, 2019
      Big Two, Big Two Reviews, DC Comics
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: 6 Most Expensive Comic Books April 2021 Update

      nguyen ly
      April 17, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • 2.7

      Review: DEEP BEYOND #1 Can’t Commit to a Premise

      Daniel Gehen
      February 4, 2021
      Image, Indie, Reviews
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 3.5

      Review: 'Monster Massacre II' brings swords, boobs and bombastic action

      Daniel Gehen
      April 22, 2014
      Reviews
    Recent
    • Singles Going Steady – Vowels, Who Needs Them?

      Daniel Gehen
      March 8, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Interview: Lissa Treiman Discusses Comics and Animation

      Daniel Gehen
      April 13, 2015
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Small Press Super-Heroes of the '80s: Miracleman

      Daniel Gehen
      October 31, 2014
      Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story

      Daniel Gehen
      March 26, 2021
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • DEADLY CLASS is Coming to SyFY

      Daniel Gehen
      May 15, 2018
      Image, News, Press Release
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade: 'Grave Business' by Graham Ingels

      Daniel Gehen
      September 25, 2015
      Books, Classic Comics, Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Collecting Profile: 6 Most Expensive Comic Books April 2021 Update
  • Collecting Profile: Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Collecting Profile: 1990 Marvel Universe Trading Cards
  • Collecting Profile: Red Sonja
  • Collecting Profile: Dr. Doom
  • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Indie

FATHOM #1 Breathes New Life into the Michael Turner Creation (Review)

Daniel Gehen
June 24, 2018
Indie, Miscellaneous Comic Book Content, Reviews

Aspen MLT

(w) Ron Marz (a) Siya Oum (c) Peter Steigerwald

Twenty years ago, the top selling title on the market was not Batman or Spider-man or even Spawn. It was a brand new, creator-owned title from Image’s partner studio, Top Cow. The book was Fathom #1, written and illustrated by rising superstar artist Michael Turner. Turner had risen to fame thanks to his work co-creating Witchblade, as well as contributing to Tomb Raider, both top sellers in the late 1990s. After leaving Witchblade, the book bounced around before settling into the capable hands of writer Ron Marz. Joined with an array of talented artists, Marz would go on to pen a defining version of the character, bringing in new readers along the way. With that in mind, it is fitting that Turner’s wholly original creation, Fathom, be put into Marz’s hands for a new generation of readers.

Marz is joined by artist Siya Oum, who continues the Turner tradition of crafting beautiful looking people to place within wonderfully crafted settings. However, Oum begins this outing with a rough couple pages. The linework is a little rushed and sloppy. However, she soon settles into a groove that carries through to the end. Her handling of the series’ lead protagonist, Aspen Matthews, is exceptional. Turner’s original incarnation was a bold, agile, and tough-as-nails heroine, and Oum proudly continues that tradition.

We are introduced to Aspen when a government contact comes to inform her of her brother’s abduction, and that she’s to stay put as she’s too important of an asset to the U.S. government. Being referred to as an “asset” does not sit well with her, and transitions into her explaining who she is and her background. While in the hands of a less capable writer, Marz is an industry veteran, delivering what is essentially an exposition dump in an organic manner. It works wonderfully with Oum’s visuals, as she crafts a beautiful double-page splash full of characters and moments from previous volumes of Fathom.

Oum, with help from colorist Peter Steigerwald, redefines Aspen’s look. No longer does look like a supermodel with an impressive tan, but a individual of Pacific islander heritage. However, this appears to be the only thing of significance to occur in this issue. While the conflict is set up, and Aspen gets a memorable introduction, there isn’t a lot for readers to chew on (or reviewers to comment on). The issue gives the series a promising start, though it is lacking in substance.

If history repeats itself, the flagship title of Aspen MLT will experience a creative renaissance under this creative team. Similar to when he took over Witchblade, Ron Marz has made Fathom updated and accessible to new audiences while being respectful to the years of established canon. The artwork by Oum, though imperfect, is impressive nonetheless. If this first issue is anything to go by, Fathom is a winner.

FATHOM #1 Breathes New Life into the Michael Turner Creation (Review)
3.5Overall Score

Aspen MLTFathomPeter SteigerwaldRon MarzSiya Oum

Share On:
Tweet
Amazing Spider-Man #801 is a Superb Slott Sendoff (Review)
Review: ‘Apollo’ is Great with Facts, Less Great with Mythologizing

About The Author

Daniel Gehen
Editor-in-Chief

Dan was introduced to the 1960s Batman show at a young age, which developed into a lifelong passion for comics. When he's not grinding out his day job, he can be found reading about Scarlet Speedsters, Web-Heads, or Sagas just about anywhere. If it's good he'll read it. If it's bad... there's a chance he still might read it.

Related Posts

  • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

    Daniel Gehen
    February 8, 2021
  • 4.3

    Review: Turok #1 is a Welcoming First Issue

    Daniel Gehen
    January 10, 2019

Support Us!

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Friends of the Site

  • SOLRAD
  • Your Chicken Enemy
  • Psycho Drive-In
  • Women Write About Comics
  • The Beat
  • Loser City
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders