Review of Event Horizon, Dark Descent

I have always loved Event Horizon the film, it remains one of the few horror films in space that actually works on all different levels, the characters are realistic, the stakes could not be higher, and the narrative works even without the ultra-detailed scenes of horror.

And it’s been thirty years, so perhaps a prequel was only inevitable, and here we find the story of what happened to the crew of the Event Horizon when they went on their ill fated mission. 

This would have been very easy to make into a simple tale of blood and gore, detailing all the things that we already know happened, but that is not the story being told here. The problem inherent with this story was always going to be that whatever story you want to tell, you already know that the crew are dead, you know the manner of their passing, and that means that it’s difficult to care for them.

So the book doesn’t concentrate on trying to make you care, it concentrates on the important things, which is what happened when the ship activated, what the crew encountered, and what they did.  The artwork is clear without being lurid, there are scenes of mutilation and death as you would expect, but the story doesn’t focus on them, they’re there to show you what happened, but not to linger on it, which makes them all the more effective.

Overall, the story puts an interesting slant on the Event Horizon film, and the ending, well…

They’re with us…

That chilling last line from the film is expanded upon and leaves infinite possibilities for what could happen next, maybe even a sequel.  Excellent story, balanced with care, not for younger readers or people who haven’t seen (and loved) the film Event Horizon.

As Always, thanks to IDW and the authors for the free copy in return for the review, my thoughts and words are my own, no incentives were offered or accepted.