Dept. H Vol. 1: Pressure

Mia is sent to investigate the mysterious death of a scientist at an underwater research station – a difficult job made even more difficult by the fact that the scientist was her father and the research crew is composed mostly of people she’s known since childhood.  However, Mia’s investigation is put on hold as the station suffers a series of life-threatening equipment malfunctions that the crew must struggle to fix.

 

There’s a pervasive feeling of claustrophobia and disorientation in scenes at the research station, made more powerful by the loose illustrations and muted color palette.  You never know what’s outside in the abysmal deep, just watching you, nor who might be waiting for you behind the next bulkhead.

 

This book reminded me of such movies as The Abyss and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (the latter mostly because of its far-out gadgets and scary sea life.)  The author himself acknowledges debts to seafaring icons Jacques Cousteau and Herman Melville, so there’s a lot of cool cultural references to enjoy.

 

Pressure is the first of a four-volume set.