The Passenger of U-977

by Rodolfo Santullo, Carlos Barocelli (Illustrator)

A mysterious passenger aboard U-977 plunges its crew into terror on a 66-day submerged journey. WWII ends, but their nightmare begins.

The Passenger of the U-977 is based on the real case of the German U-boat of the same name arriving in Mar del Plata, Argentina, after WWII ended in 1945. Its crew had sailed without surfacing for 66 days, and that fact is the trigger for the premise of this novel of horror and fantasy by Rodolfo Santullo and Carlos Barocelli.

What is it that forces Captain Schäffer not to surface? Who is the mysterious passenger the ship is carrying?

Why were there no sailors at the time of arrival?

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, History

108 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2024

About the author

Rodolfo Santullo (Mexico D.F., 1979) es periodista, escritor, guionista y editor de historietas al frente de Grupo Belerofonte. Autoeditor desde 1999 con "Montevideo Ciudad Gris", integró la revista "Quimera" en 2003 y desde 2005 publica mediante GB. Sus novelas gráficas "Los últimos dÌas del Graf Spee" y "Acto de Guerra" (ambas con dibujos de Matías Bergara) han sido ganadoras en los Fondos Concursables para la Cultura que otorga el Ministerio de Educación y Cultura del Uruguay. Su novela gráfica "Cena con Amigos" (con dibujos de Marcos Vergara) recibió el galardón de "Mejor Guión" en los premios "Solano López" que se otorgaron en la Feria del Libro de Buenos Aires 2010. Junto a Matías Bergara además, resultó ganador del Premio de Historieta Juan Carlos Onetti, organizado por el MEC en 2009, por su adaptación del relato "Esbjerg en la costa". En 2011 publica "Valizas" nuevamente junto a Marcos Vergara. Fue merecedor de tres nuevos Fondos Concursables en la edición 2011, por sus novelas gráficas "Zitarrosa" (con dibujos de Max Aguirre), "Dengue" (con dibujos de Matías Bergara) y "El Club de los Ilustres" (con dibujos de Guillermo Hansz). Ha publicado además como escritor, la novela "Las otras caras del verano" (Amuleto 2008, en colaboración con Martín Bentancor, ganadora de una mención de honor en el Concurso Literario Municipal 2002); el libro de cuentos "Perro Come Perro" (Artefato 2006), la novela "Cementerio Norte" (Trilce 2009, ganadora en los Fondos Concursables para la Cultura 2008), la novela "Sobres Papel Manila" (Estuario 2010, 2do. Premio en el Premio Anual de Literatura del MEC 2009) y la novela "Aquel Viejo Tango" (Estuario 2011, en colaboración con Martín Bentancor). Desde principios de 2010 integra el staff de la Revista Fierro que se edita en Buenos Aires, Argentina, colaborando frecuentemente con el dibujante Dante Ginevra. Como periodista, ha participado en medios de prensa como Posdata, La República, Brecha, Freeway y la diaria. Actualmente colabora con la separata O2 de El Observador.

Reviews

[Chris Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good, though it ended just as it was getting interesting. The downside of the comic format, I guess.

As the cover indicates, it's a tale of supernatural horror on a submarine. It takes place at the tail end of WWII in 1945. The artwork style is not my favorite, but it suits the story and creates the right atmosphere.

As I alluded above, I think this story would be better suited to the novel format. That would allow the suspense and claustrophobia to build. Still, a worthy effort.

[Richard Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute cup of tea: history & horror.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention. I proceed to read to you the statement received today from the high command.

Submariners, you have bravely fought for five years as heroes in the seas of the world. You can be proud of your feats. They are unique, un-paralleled. They will imperishably enter history.

The fight has been very hard, but the hardest step awaits you now… capitulation.

I have been rather taken by Afterlight Comics and their ever increasing range of horror graphic novels. They seem to be finding the best from around the globe and publishing them in English to bring them to a new audience.

This time it is a historical jaunt to the end of WWII. The story weaves the true events around U-977 with a claustrophobic horror imaging what could have happened to the missing submariners who were mysteriously unaccounted for when the submarine resurfaced after travelling to Argentina for safe haven.

Rather than some of the more traditional theories, it weaves in the occult and delivers a top notch undersea terror. 4 1/2 stars.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely bit of supernatural horror set in the most claustrophobic situation imaginable. The art really sells the feeling of being trapped in a leaking bucket, under the sea, with something unspeakable.

[Titan of Zarlak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough but would have benefited by being longer. It lacks a suitable pre story and ends rather abruptly. Doesn't really explain or answer anything. I guess its a good thing that I wanted more. Whilst the illustration is good its personally not my style, the colour tone tends to blend the whole scene together rather than make things stand out, but its a personal preference. If you like this sort of thing its worth a go but I think there is a longer, more interesting story in there that could have come out.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels like a rough draft of a much bigger, better story.

The artwork is the best quality here, even if the plot is a bit too reminiscent of Last Voyage of the Demeter with occult touches on a U-boat.

[Cynthia · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I loved the art style and hope there is some sort of continuation. Questions weren't answered, but that's okay. I enjoyed this.