Basilisk Vol. 1
Cullen Bunn, writer; Jonas Scharf, illustrator; Alex Guimarães, colorist
BOOM! Studios, 2021
The story begins with five ordinary-looking people coming down from the mountains into a town. Called the Chimera (although I don't recall them being named that in the narrative until near the end, just in a chapter title) they are god-like beings with powers that stem from the five human senses. The powers appear to be entirely destructive: the group has a cult-like hive mind, and leave mayhem and death in their wake. The series title refers to a mythical serpent-like creature capable of destroying other creatures with its stare, which is also the power of Regan, one of the Chimera who has left the group, riddled with guilt over what she has done.
Hannah lost her family in that first attack, and has been plotting her revenge ever since. Tracking down Regan and enlisting her aid takes her plan into high gear. The situation is further complicated by a preacher named Barret and a group of followers called the Faithful who follow him and believe in the godhood of the Chimera (as befits beings who look like gods, I suppose). Another huge slaughter occurs while the group is on its way to confront Hannah and Regan. At the climactic battle Regan reveals her battle suit, which blocks all direct sensory input, effectively rendering the Chimera powerless. It is still a close battle, but one of the Chimera does fall. That leaves three--whose powers are still growing--intent on teaching mankind a lesson.
This is a compelling beginning which leaves many large questions. Who are the Chimera, and where did they come from? How is Barret apparently immune to their powers? And what will the lesson be? Scharf employs an energetic, fairly representational visual style that moves the story along, while also allowing for a bit of visual symbolism (crows are a recurring motif). It reminds me of Rafael Albuquerque's work on American Vampire.
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