The Wake: Abyssal Terror and Science Fiction in the Vertigo Imprint

Published on January 08, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Cover of The Wake showing the protagonist Lee Archer in a submarine base illuminated with bluish-green light, surrounded by prehistoric marine creatures with alien elements in the abyssal depths.

The Wake: Abyssal Terror and Science Fiction in the Vertigo Imprint

The creative collaboration between Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy immerses us in the darkest depths of the ocean with this modern comic masterpiece, published under the prestigious Vertigo imprint of Panini Cómics that combines elements of cosmic horror with a visceral science fiction plot 🦑.

Dual Narrative and Terror Building

The temporal structure of The Wake develops through two perfectly intertwined storylines that reflect the past and future of humanity in the face of an ancestral threat. On one hand, we follow the scientific investigation of marine communication specialist Lee Archer, whose routine work transforms into a existential nightmare upon discovering marine entities that defy all known biological understanding.

Highlighted narrative elements:
  • Temporal duality connecting scientific expedition with post-apocalyptic future
  • Progressive mystery where each answer generates new questions
  • Mythology linking human evolution with inevitable destiny
The true terror is not in what we see, but in what the ocean hides in its unexplored depths

Visual Art and Oppressive Atmosphere

Sean Murphy unleashes his artistic mastery creating claustrophobic underwater environments and creature designs that blend prehistoric biology with alien elements. The color palette dominated by deep blues and bioluminescent greens conveys the sensation of being trapped in the abyssal depths, where natural light never penetrates and every shadow hides ancestral dangers 🌊.

Remarkable visual aspects:
  • Creature designs fusing marine biology and extraterrestrial elements
  • Underwater environments generating claustrophobia and constant tension
  • Use of color to create oppressive atmosphere and sense of depth

Vertigo Legacy and Final Reflection

This work represents the essence of the Vertigo imprint at its finest, bringing cosmic horror to contemporary settings with a mature and experimental narrative. After experiencing The Wake, the perception of the marine world changes radically, transforming everyday sounds into omens of abyssal nightmares and turning the simple contemplation of the ocean into an experience laden with ominous meanings 🎭.