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Low (Single Issues)
Low #1
In the far distant future, the sun's premature expansion has irradiated Earth, sending humanity to the lowest depths of the seas, hidden within radiation-shielded cities, while probes scour the universe for inhabitable worlds to relocate to. After tens of thousands of years, a single probe returns, crashing on Earth's surface, a now-alien place no human has seen for many millennia.
Frequent collaborators RICK REMENDER (BLACK SCIENCE, Uncanny Avengers) and GREG TOCCHINI (Last Days of American Crime, Uncanny X-Force) dive into an aquatic sci-fi/fantasy tale following two teams from the last remaining cities undersea as they race to the most unexpected alien world of all-the surface of Earth.
Special introductory issue features 30 full pages of painted art!
Frequent collaborators RICK REMENDER (BLACK SCIENCE, Uncanny Avengers) and GREG TOCCHINI (Last Days of American Crime, Uncanny X-Force) dive into an aquatic sci-fi/fantasy tale following two teams from the last remaining cities undersea as they race to the most unexpected alien world of all-the surface of Earth.
Special introductory issue features 30 full pages of painted art!
31 pages, Comic Book
First published July 30, 2014
5 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Rick Remender
1,247 books1,427 followersRick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 24, 2014
Anyone who follows my reviews knows that I love Remender's writing and I quickly snapped up Low and added it to my collecting list at my comic shop but I found myself a little perplexed. Low is a weird story, a very weird story in a good way but weird requires a bit of exposition to ease your audience into the world you've created.
Remender starts the story in media res with characters speaking about things that are common in their world which is a problem since a reader needs to fill in the gap. Usually comics start with an internal monologue explaining the events that have lead up to the current situation but Low doesn't. That being said even the lore-heavy intro did not discourage me from reading more.
Low takes place in the future where humanity has retreated beneath the ocean and their resources are dwindling as the hope of finding a habitable world seems less likely. We follow a hopeful woman whose two daughters are kidnapped by raiders. Remender still has the ability to tap into his characters and make them relatable. Tocchini's artwork is astounding, the entire city of Salus seems alive thanks to his amazing artwork. I do hope that the lore is explained as further issues are published.
Remender starts the story in media res with characters speaking about things that are common in their world which is a problem since a reader needs to fill in the gap. Usually comics start with an internal monologue explaining the events that have lead up to the current situation but Low doesn't. That being said even the lore-heavy intro did not discourage me from reading more.
Low takes place in the future where humanity has retreated beneath the ocean and their resources are dwindling as the hope of finding a habitable world seems less likely. We follow a hopeful woman whose two daughters are kidnapped by raiders. Remender still has the ability to tap into his characters and make them relatable. Tocchini's artwork is astounding, the entire city of Salus seems alive thanks to his amazing artwork. I do hope that the lore is explained as further issues are published.
July 5, 2015
Oooh... interesting story with such pretty art. Sun-radiated earth forcing humanity under the sea. Considering getting Vol. 1 collected edition for this... hmmm...
March 18, 2020
Y'know, I too was ridiculously distraught the first time I heard that one day the sun was gonna eat our beautiful Earth and that everything we ever do or love is all for nothing... and while I chose to eat my feelings after learning this, Rick Remender chose to make a comic called Low.
I really like how hopeful and dire this world is. And I find it both amusing and fascinating how overly poetic and technical everyone talks. They speak like well read scientists. It may not be commoners we follow, but they are still human in spirit and they are still funny.
If I have one issue, it's simultaneously one of its highlights. The ART.
The art is beautiful and glorious, truly unique and unlike anything I have ever experienced... but it's also so damn sketchy that it's often difficult to even understand what is going on half the time.
And it's kind of a problem. It took me out of the action a few times. It feels like unrealized concepts- and it can have an effect on the story that this is more a concept of an idea than it is a fully created project.
It wasn't enough to hurt the item. And at the end of the day I am still reserved to call the art in this book good.
But it just doesn't stick the landing where Black Science did for me. I will keep going. It's too interesting to stop. But I worry it may end up in my category of "reading chores" when all is said an done.
I really like how hopeful and dire this world is. And I find it both amusing and fascinating how overly poetic and technical everyone talks. They speak like well read scientists. It may not be commoners we follow, but they are still human in spirit and they are still funny.
If I have one issue, it's simultaneously one of its highlights. The ART.
The art is beautiful and glorious, truly unique and unlike anything I have ever experienced... but it's also so damn sketchy that it's often difficult to even understand what is going on half the time.
And it's kind of a problem. It took me out of the action a few times. It feels like unrealized concepts- and it can have an effect on the story that this is more a concept of an idea than it is a fully created project.
It wasn't enough to hurt the item. And at the end of the day I am still reserved to call the art in this book good.
But it just doesn't stick the landing where Black Science did for me. I will keep going. It's too interesting to stop. But I worry it may end up in my category of "reading chores" when all is said an done.
June 29, 2015
In the distant future humanity will descend to the lowest depths of the ocean and live there. One of these such immigrants, is the Caine family. They seem to have quite the heritage in the land of Salus. We meet Johl and Stel, as they prepare their daughters Della and Tarj to go on some kind of rite of passage involving a helm suit that only a Caine can wear. On their journey, their ship is attacked by a group of bandits who bear grudges against Salus, but Caine family in particular for some past grievances. They take the helm suit and the girls and one of Johl's eyes.
The first thing that's going to get you about this comic is the artwork. Wow! Haven't seen graphics like that since, uhm, never before. But that's not the only catch, the writing is good, Rick Remender does a good job, although at some point he could do with a subtler layering of the information, can't remember half of anything that was said in that history lesson, oh and that wrong spelling of BOUT on page 8.
Otherwise dope comic, excited about this first volume, DELIRIUM OF HOPE.
The first thing that's going to get you about this comic is the artwork. Wow! Haven't seen graphics like that since, uhm, never before. But that's not the only catch, the writing is good, Rick Remender does a good job, although at some point he could do with a subtler layering of the information, can't remember half of anything that was said in that history lesson, oh and that wrong spelling of BOUT on page 8.
Otherwise dope comic, excited about this first volume, DELIRIUM OF HOPE.
April 26, 2015
This issue is a solid 4 to 4.5 for me. The writing alone with worth 4 stars. Factoring in the absolutely gorgeous art nearly kicks it up to 5 stars, but I'm trying to leave room for improvement in future issues.
Although similarities can be drawn between Remender's Black Science in the family-focused story and the art style, that doesn't take away from the presentation of the comic itself. It's very well done. I can't stop staring at some of the pages for the beautiful lines and delightful use of colour. As for the writing, I'm a sucker for stories that deal with family, and the characters are well-written and likable. I love the relationship between Johl and his wife, Stel. I'm not usually a fan of children in anything, but theirs are actually kind of cute.
I'll be picking up the trade paperback to catch up on this series.
Although similarities can be drawn between Remender's Black Science in the family-focused story and the art style, that doesn't take away from the presentation of the comic itself. It's very well done. I can't stop staring at some of the pages for the beautiful lines and delightful use of colour. As for the writing, I'm a sucker for stories that deal with family, and the characters are well-written and likable. I love the relationship between Johl and his wife, Stel. I'm not usually a fan of children in anything, but theirs are actually kind of cute.
I'll be picking up the trade paperback to catch up on this series.
July 28, 2021
The extraordinarily lovely art in this had it high on my to-read list for quite some time, and having only just managed to snag it, I came into it with pretty high expectations. Or, at least, the expectation that however mediocre the plot, the art could probably carry it through and make it readable.
But alas, it struck a pet peeve with its tacky "sexposition" opening and bland dialogue. To be clear, some might deem this a weird hangup on my side of things, but I regard anything with quite a high degree of skepticism when the story opens with two people going at it, or having just done so. It's much too soon in the relationship with these characters to be seeing them in some intimate setting! I don't know who they are, or if I like them, or if I care what they have to say, and so the voyeurism is not only a little grotesque to me, but also often indicative of a cheap shot by a writer with so little confidence in his/her plot and characters that they feel a need to sensationalize the story with an uncomfortably primal introduction. And the length of time they run around naked at the beginning of the story makes it seem all the more greasily calculated.
Lest anyone take this as some sort of prudishness on my part, my background involves quite a close rapport with the sex worker industry and more than a casual participation in San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair, so this isn't likely the case. Further in defense against the accusation of puritanical mores, is the fact that I find it equally distasteful - for the same reasons - when confronted with contrived sappy autotuned piano pop ballads in the key of Dm. Just seems like a cheap, lazy tactic for wringing discount reptile-brain feelz out of an audience without putting in the effort. A magic bullet cure to prop up a boneless story, smoke and mirrors to confuse the audience into thinking the thing they're reading has more depth than it does.
Looking at it philosophically, maybe there are practical reasons for this sort of beginning? Maybe we will find out later that this scene was relevant - for it was in this very moment that she conceived a child who will later be salient to the plot, after the death of his/her father. Perhaps even an alien baby. Perhaps her real husband will return later and say, "Oh my god, honey, you have no idea what I've been through - can you believe I ever made it back to you? What did you do when you found out I was missing?" and the shapeshifting alien, still buckling his/its belt, will erstwhile skedaddle out the window.
But let's be real, the number of times this could have happened compared to the number of times it doesn't leads me to rather cynical assumptions in these situations.
Would it be forgivable if the dialogue was great? Sure. Could a decent plot make up for the author's trifling indiscretions? Of course. Did they? Alas, nay. Are we doing a self interview here? Yes? Will I throw myself super softball questions to come out looking like a genius? Undoubtedly.
Oh well.
But alas, it struck a pet peeve with its tacky "sexposition" opening and bland dialogue. To be clear, some might deem this a weird hangup on my side of things, but I regard anything with quite a high degree of skepticism when the story opens with two people going at it, or having just done so. It's much too soon in the relationship with these characters to be seeing them in some intimate setting! I don't know who they are, or if I like them, or if I care what they have to say, and so the voyeurism is not only a little grotesque to me, but also often indicative of a cheap shot by a writer with so little confidence in his/her plot and characters that they feel a need to sensationalize the story with an uncomfortably primal introduction. And the length of time they run around naked at the beginning of the story makes it seem all the more greasily calculated.
Lest anyone take this as some sort of prudishness on my part, my background involves quite a close rapport with the sex worker industry and more than a casual participation in San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair, so this isn't likely the case. Further in defense against the accusation of puritanical mores, is the fact that I find it equally distasteful - for the same reasons - when confronted with contrived sappy autotuned piano pop ballads in the key of Dm. Just seems like a cheap, lazy tactic for wringing discount reptile-brain feelz out of an audience without putting in the effort. A magic bullet cure to prop up a boneless story, smoke and mirrors to confuse the audience into thinking the thing they're reading has more depth than it does.
Looking at it philosophically, maybe there are practical reasons for this sort of beginning? Maybe we will find out later that this scene was relevant - for it was in this very moment that she conceived a child who will later be salient to the plot, after the death of his/her father. Perhaps even an alien baby. Perhaps her real husband will return later and say, "Oh my god, honey, you have no idea what I've been through - can you believe I ever made it back to you? What did you do when you found out I was missing?" and the shapeshifting alien, still buckling his/its belt, will erstwhile skedaddle out the window.
But let's be real, the number of times this could have happened compared to the number of times it doesn't leads me to rather cynical assumptions in these situations.
Would it be forgivable if the dialogue was great? Sure. Could a decent plot make up for the author's trifling indiscretions? Of course. Did they? Alas, nay. Are we doing a self interview here? Yes? Will I throw myself super softball questions to come out looking like a genius? Undoubtedly.
Oh well.
May 22, 2022
2 Stars!
I didn’t love LOW. It was meh to bad. It was very short. I just read issue 1, so that’s why. While I enjoyed what little plot there was, it went a little over my head. I won’t be continuing, I don’t think. The art wasn’t really for me, either. It wasn’t flowing. It was jagged and stop/start. Also the characters were forgettable. I’ve already forgotten their names!
• I read this for Spooky read for Becca’s Bookopolothon. The only spooky thing about it was the art style, if I’m being honest, which as I said above, I just didn’t gel with. It wasn’t pretty or well drawn in my opinion. It was freaky and didn’t represent the story well. I guess the plot has some “spooky” elements too. Like how people now live under water, but apart from that - no.
We basically follow a woman and her husband as they train their daughters to live below the surface of the water in this first volume. The daughters get captured by raiders. That’s it! I would have liked the volume to be more expansive.
I didn’t love LOW. It was meh to bad. It was very short. I just read issue 1, so that’s why. While I enjoyed what little plot there was, it went a little over my head. I won’t be continuing, I don’t think. The art wasn’t really for me, either. It wasn’t flowing. It was jagged and stop/start. Also the characters were forgettable. I’ve already forgotten their names!
• I read this for Spooky read for Becca’s Bookopolothon. The only spooky thing about it was the art style, if I’m being honest, which as I said above, I just didn’t gel with. It wasn’t pretty or well drawn in my opinion. It was freaky and didn’t represent the story well. I guess the plot has some “spooky” elements too. Like how people now live under water, but apart from that - no.
We basically follow a woman and her husband as they train their daughters to live below the surface of the water in this first volume. The daughters get captured by raiders. That’s it! I would have liked the volume to be more expansive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2021
I feel like a big part of what happens between a 3 star rating and a 5 star rating (for a single issue) is whether or not you got all of the info from the comic and were really invested, or if you got way more information from reading the blurb on goodreads and others reviews and then you see what you were supposed to. It's an interesting concept for sure, but I was absolutely distracted and felt like I was playing catch up the whole time trying to figure out these people and what they were doing. I really enjoy the idea of deep underwater worlds and a dying planet, but it just felt like a lot of pretty colors and nudity. Even with the twist at the end I felt like I was just scratching my head trying to figure out who the newer people were and why this new girl was also naked.
December 10, 2023
Low has amazing concept I want to experience: underwater cities in a world with its sun going Red Giant. What odd and bewildering things are for us to find out? I am threading my way along the 1-6 collected version, so some of my criticism may be only warranted once I move a bit more forward. The first issue is confusing - a lot of detail and information, incredible art, vibrant colors, and a vicious gut-punch but it lacks clearer directions for the reader to follow, which makes me considerably more puzzled and at the end of the issue, which even a re-read didn't help. I'm intrigued, immensely, but I might need some neon signs to help me get back on track.
7/10
7/10
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May 31, 2020Undersea action
Good color artwork.An image freebie. Undersea battles near the end of the world. Looks good so far. Sort of a dystopian Atlantis
Good color artwork.An image freebie. Undersea battles near the end of the world. Looks good so far. Sort of a dystopian Atlantis
March 19, 2023
Couldn’t get into the storyline but love the art in this
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July 26, 2023Beautiful
September 12, 2014
Despite the fact that the story really didn't need to start with naked people having a post-coital philosophical discussion/banter, I really enjoyed Low, and I think that it's a promising first issue for a series. I'd also like to see more of the strong female lead, Stel, who's "superpower" is optimism/positive thinking/hope, and whether or not Rick Remender can maintain this without it coming off as too sappy in a pretty harsh sci-fi setting.
Although I really like Tocchini's art, particularly the "landscapes" (in quote because it's under water and more "techscapes" of built human habitats), it's a little bit information dense and busy. Also, sometimes his faces look a little weird.
Although I really like Tocchini's art, particularly the "landscapes" (in quote because it's under water and more "techscapes" of built human habitats), it's a little bit information dense and busy. Also, sometimes his faces look a little weird.
November 25, 2015
YES.
This is something Ive been looking forward to. The art grabbed me when I saw it and knew I had to read it. I didnt even know what it was about.
I thought "so is this steam punk, cyber punk, weird ass robotic divine war?" No, its fucking marine based mechs and submarine pirates in the distant future. Kind of off the beating path cause it unites the different elements of sci fi.
Ive noticed that when you start a sci fi or fantasy comic, it throws a garbage pile of references and new vocabulary at you to help learn of its universe. This luckily, doesnt do that. It eases you in there to grasp what the hell is going on.
The art can at times be a little messy and make you lose the narrative, but it balances that all out by looking beautiful.
I cant wait to read more!
This is something Ive been looking forward to. The art grabbed me when I saw it and knew I had to read it. I didnt even know what it was about.
I thought "so is this steam punk, cyber punk, weird ass robotic divine war?" No, its fucking marine based mechs and submarine pirates in the distant future. Kind of off the beating path cause it unites the different elements of sci fi.
Ive noticed that when you start a sci fi or fantasy comic, it throws a garbage pile of references and new vocabulary at you to help learn of its universe. This luckily, doesnt do that. It eases you in there to grasp what the hell is going on.
The art can at times be a little messy and make you lose the narrative, but it balances that all out by looking beautiful.
I cant wait to read more!
March 5, 2015
Off to an great start on the plot line, Remender doesn't hold back, delving right in with full intensity while tastefully introducing the general back story of the series. Tocchini's watercolor illustration is nothing short of gorgeous, however, some may be deterred by its abstraction as it is somewhat difficult to determine what's taking place in some panels. Those willing to put in an additional moment or two will not mind, and will likely appreciate it that much more. Certainly worth a gander.
September 1, 2014
I love this art. It combines detail, shading, and brushwork extremely well. I also love that the colors set the mood for the scene. The writing definitely captured my interest to understand the world Remender creates and what will happen next with these characters. The characterization in one issue is outstanding. I'm looking forward to reading the next issue.
August 6, 2015
Interesting premise. The setting is beautiful and eerie; very graphic. A violent story that is accentuated by explicit representations of scantily clad (often topless) women often performing sexual acts. I can't really decide how I feel about the artwork. It was borderline distasteful, but fit the story. Definitely for a mature audience.
January 1, 2016
I loved the concept of this but I found it mind-numbingly boring. Twenty-something pages never felt so long. I also didn't care for the art or the color scheme, so really, I guess the idea is the only reason I gave it a higher score. That and at the end there's a bit of interest. Looks like the third book in a row where I won't be continuing the series. Oh well.
April 4, 2015
This holds incredibly beautiful artwork and concept ideas that have a steampunk hint which will leave you lingering on each page. The futurist ideals and mechanics are intriguing and leaves you wanting more.
May 6, 2015
Though there was some awkward nudity, the concept of a human civilization living deep in the depths of the ocean as the sun gets nearer to its end is an intriguing concept. I also love the lead character's optimistic outlook and how she has faith that her family will be reunited.
November 17, 2015
Interesting artwork in this one. A science fiction tale set in the distant future where the expanding Sun has irradiated the Earth's surface, sending humanity deep beneath the oceans to protected underwater cities. It sets up well and I look forward to seeing where it's going.
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December 28, 2016I do genuinely want to read this graphic novel, but the copy I got from Kindle is not easily readable in the Cloud. I am waiting for Kindle to finally get their act together and produce a system to make reading graphic novels easier on the computer.
September 28, 2014
A good first issue is the one which makes you wanna take on the second. I got all other available ones straight away.
I love the art. Reminds me a bit of Transistor (game).
I love the art. Reminds me a bit of Transistor (game).
May 1, 2015
To me, Remender doesn't do a good enough job making the story connect with the reader emotionally.
May 30, 2015
Amazing art, engaging story. Dig.
August 28, 2015
I liked the art, but it's not something I want to see with comics. I found it hard to follow along and, with what I could make out, the story just wasn't appealing to me.
February 22, 2016
With an unique art style nicely supported by believable and humorous dialogue, this was a rather enjoyable find!! Nicely satiates my 'Saga' craving!
February 28, 2016
3.5 Stars really, but I'm rounding down. It might just be because I'm tired though.
Still, I like the concept, it looks to be a strong story.
Still, I like the concept, it looks to be a strong story.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews