Davide Gianfelice

(Content warning for racist violence.)

The year is 2112, and the world is a shithole (of course. And I don't mean that sarcastically, I genuinely believe that this is direction in which we're heading.) Rich white folks jumped ship, presumably heading for greener planets, while the less fortunate - including indigenous peoples - were left to fend for themselves.

Enter our intrepid quartet: Tad, Sosh, Emily, and Yellow Kid(ney), a group of Indigenous Americans who have discovered a cave in Arizona that allows you to travel through time - but only one at a time, and naked save for a single item from the time you wish to visit. The group's convinced that foiling Columbus's famed 1492 voyage is the way to go; if he never "discovers" America, then America will never become the capitalist juggernaut that destroys the global ecosystem. And honestly, I can't really argue with the logic of it.

Since he's a polyglot, Tad is given the dubious honor of traveling back in time. As he desperately attempts to get close to Columbus, the rest of the group searches for clues that Tad's succeeded in his mission. But the alliance starts to fracture as another group, in searching for their lost children, comes perilously close to discovering the cave.

From idea to execution, EARTHDIVERS is pretty spectacular. The idea of assassinating Columbus to save the future is *chef's kiss*, and of course that honor should go to an Indigenous American. The artwork is magnificent and the bleak desert/ocean landscapes make for a great juxtaposition.

I'm a sucker for anything time travel, even if things can get confusing at times. (Like, am I tripping, or did I spy time traveling zombies?) That's really the only reason I deducted one star - I wasn't always entirely sure what was going on, especially near the end. Still, EARTHDIVERS is a great read, and I can't wait for Volume 2.

(The title's backstory is one of my favorite parts, but I won't ruin it for those who aren't already in the know.)… (more)

Killer cover made reading this inevitable.

Complex and convoluted time travel plot lines made it a little difficult to follow, but the supernatural horror elements just sort of grab you by the throat.

I feel this is going to reward re-reading once the story is complete, and I'm definitely going to be coming back until it is.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents:
• Earthdivers: Origins - An Introduction / Stephen Graham Jones, writer
• Chapter One. Here There Be Monsters
• Chapter Two. The Storm
• Chapter Three. Yellow Woman
• Chapter Four. Indies Man
• Chapter Five. Can You See the Indian?
• Chapter Six. Where the Future Comes to Die
• [About the Creators]
• Early Character Designs and Concept Art / Davide Gianfelice, illustrator
• Script to Art Process
• Earthdivers Variant Cover Program / Aaron Campbell, illustrator
• Earthdivers Variant Cover Gallery / Maria Wolf, Angel Hernandez, Jim Terry, Christian Ward, Werther Dell'Edera, Ramon Villalobos, Maria Llovet, Heather Vaughan, J.J. Lendl, Caitlin Tarsky, Tiffany Turrill and, Daniel Irizarri, illustrators… (more)

This was a fascinating story. The year is 2112, the apocalypse has happened, and earth is either flooded or completely dry. A group of four find a magic cave. It allows them to travel back in time. They are of Indian nations, who believe the best way to save their people and their country is to go back in time and kill Columbus. Seth Grimm Jones writes stories that keep you thinking and staying in your mind for a long time. His debut graphic novel is no different. There are times I wish this was a full novel, but it is superb. It is violent and bloody and gory because it is horror, but done as only South Graham Jones can do.… (more)