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Mare Internum
*2020 Eisner Award Nominee for Best Digital Comic*
*Winner of the 2017 DINKy Award for Best Webcomic*
No man is an island, but Dr. Michael Fisher, a disgraced planetary geologist living on Mars, has never felt more isolated. The situation worsens when both he and Dr. Bex Egunsola, the station's newest biologist, accidentally break through the floor of an unstable lava tube into an ancient subterranean world... and they are not alone.
Is this purgatorial abyss a prison or a sanctuary? Genuine or constructed? How thin runs the line between life and death? And is there a chance for the fallen to return to the world of the living?
Book is available to purchase directly from the publisher here: https://gumroad.com/l/SnLdW
*Winner of the 2017 DINKy Award for Best Webcomic*
No man is an island, but Dr. Michael Fisher, a disgraced planetary geologist living on Mars, has never felt more isolated. The situation worsens when both he and Dr. Bex Egunsola, the station's newest biologist, accidentally break through the floor of an unstable lava tube into an ancient subterranean world... and they are not alone.
Is this purgatorial abyss a prison or a sanctuary? Genuine or constructed? How thin runs the line between life and death? And is there a chance for the fallen to return to the world of the living?
Book is available to purchase directly from the publisher here: https://gumroad.com/l/SnLdW
296 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Der-shing Helmer
61 books97 followersHi, I draw comics and put them on the internet for people to read. Sometimes I put the drawings on paper so people who are not on the internet can also read them. I live near San Diego, CA, and I am excited to make more comics for everyone.
Thanks for reading my stuff!
Thanks for reading my stuff!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 28, 2020
“doesn’t even the most complicated and imperfect life have worth?”
told from the perspective of two scientists living on mars -- a geologist struggling with suicidal tendencies and a biologist who ran away from her life on earth -- this is a sci-fi comic with life, death, and rebirth at its very core.
the two scientists accidentally end up discovering mars’ big secret. stuck in a set of subterranean caves with no way out, surrounded by lifeforms they barely understand, they try to look for a way to escape to the surface. meanwhile, their personal issues and explosive personalities are close to reaching a boiling point.
it’s very much a story about a journey inward; not only into the planet, but also into michael’s and bex’s inner worlds.
the main story is interspersed with interludes about the two scientists’ respective pasts, which gives extra context to the difficulties they face currently. these brief bursts of insight deal with heavy themes such as sexual abuse, suicide, depression, and suppression of emotions.
visually, this is an amazing ride. so much thought and care is put into the environments; they feel truly otherworldly and alien, as well as all the lifeforms scuttering about in the world below the surface of mars. i loved the strong, contrasting colors and the use of light.
also: kudos for all the body language. the way the characters move feels very natural and brims with motion and personal quirks. some of my favorite panels and pages included little to no dialogue, where the art was so powerful it told the story on its own.
this is the kind of story that is deliberately a little vague and leaves a lot to the interpretation of the reader. it doesn’t include a lot of your classic ‘hard’ sci-fi, though it’s obviously been meticulously researched -- the characters remain the focus, as well as its main philosophy and the questions it asks about sacrifice, running away from who you really are, and what can spring anew from death.
i’ll admit, i didn’t always get where it was going and had to reread parts here and there to see if i actually ‘got it’, but the ending solidly tied everything together for me. so if you don’t mind an abstract kind of take on this kind of subject matter, mare internum can be a beautiful little gem to add to your collection.
you can read it here.
“when a planet dies, does it become haunted?”
✎ 3.5 stars.
May 6, 2020
The art style was gorgeous and dark which definitely fit the tone of the book. (TW: for attempted suicide, abandoning children, sexual abuse.)
However, I found myself confused sometimes as to what was actually happening. I really wish I was able to wrap my head around it more, but some of the parts were very existential and sort of abstract.
I also had no idea what the ending was. And not in a this-is-open-ended kind of way, but in an I-just-don't-know-what-is-happening kind of way.
However, I found myself confused sometimes as to what was actually happening. I really wish I was able to wrap my head around it more, but some of the parts were very existential and sort of abstract.
I also had no idea what the ending was. And not in a this-is-open-ended kind of way, but in an I-just-don't-know-what-is-happening kind of way.
July 21, 2021
A weird and wild Martian adventure, with lovely art and wonderful monsters.
January 5, 2020
Først og fremst veldig stilig look (om enn av og til litt forvirrende), og meget kompetent dialog.
January 18, 2020
The top-tier quality of Mare Internum's writing and art make it clear that it was a project undertaken with great care, but knowing how much blood, sweat and tears its creator poured into it doubled my already-great inclination to scream my love for this story out loud. Like all of the best Sci-fi, it makes a statement about humanity, and the telling was just as beautiful as the message. Following along as it was told was a priceless experience. Also, the hard copy/print version is really dang nice.
January 28, 2020
I followed this comic online over the last few years and knew it was special, but finally getting my print copy and reading it all at once confirmed it. Webcomics can always be tricky because they're taken in chunks, or even just pages at a time, and over several years. It's not great for my memory problems, lol, so sometimes I forgot things, or just didn't notice things I saw on a page. But reading it all in one chunk changes everything, and I was able to pick up on nuances I didn't even know were there. I've been following Der-shing for years, and this just cements my readership further.
February 7, 2020
Absolutely stunning graphic novel, definitely worth the wait. The hardcover version is breathtaking with a minimal cover, painted page edges, and lush printing. I was really impressed by the completeness of the story, the emotional resonance of the characters. This is a perfect example of what a science fiction graphic novel has the potential to be. I just wish it was well known enough that there were analyses of it out there so I could really delve into the meaning--I did feel lost at times.
So worth the wait on this Kickstarted book, and I hope it's nominated for awards this year.
So worth the wait on this Kickstarted book, and I hope it's nominated for awards this year.
October 3, 2023
Non saprei, sulla carta sembrava perfetto per me, per i miei gusti, per il mio vissuto, in realtà mi ha lasciato molto indifferente.
February 1, 2021
This book was an adventure, an incredible journey into an alien world full of intricate and carefully considered world building, grounded by complex characters with some of the most authentic dialogue I’ve ever read in comic.
The artwork is also simply beautiful, from the subtlety of body language and expressions of the characters, to the stunning Martian vistas with their dreamily atmospheric colour palettes that perfectly accentuate the tone of each scene.
This book is inspirational science fiction and has found a firm place among my favourite graphic novels, its simply a fantastic book and you should all read it!
Removed my 2021 update pending a reread.
The artwork is also simply beautiful, from the subtlety of body language and expressions of the characters, to the stunning Martian vistas with their dreamily atmospheric colour palettes that perfectly accentuate the tone of each scene.
This book is inspirational science fiction and has found a firm place among my favourite graphic novels, its simply a fantastic book and you should all read it!
Removed my 2021 update pending a reread.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2024
details
✦ In this future, space travel is a reality, and Fisher (Fish) and Egunsola (Bex) are scientists on Mars. Fish is a disgraced scientist, having destroyed equipment worth millions of dollars.
✦ Fish and Bex clash, but they are both trapped in a subterranean underworld controlled by a “processor” who 1) refuses to let them leave and 2) insists on giving them “gifts.” For Fish: medication. For Bex: communication. For Levi: an organic body.
✦ We find out details about their lives and their pasts, which gives us some insight into their personalities.
✦ There are two halves to the “processor.” The processor was made by what I believe was one of Mars’ original inhabitants, calling herself Kallakore. Kalla died, but the processor took over her personality/persona, manifesting itself as Kalla. The “processor” is also hardware/software that’s so high-tech it’s become organic.
✦ Kalla-processor believes that in order to maintain this remnant of Martian society/technology that exists, the “closed loop” system must be maintained — which mean nothing gets out. (But something is able to get in, so … right there it’s already not a closed loop system, isn’t it?) Kalla-processor wants to keep both Fish and Bex in its system.
✦ The whole story is Bex (and Fish) trying to find a way out of the system while Kalla tries to keep them in. Eventually Fish makes a sacrifice to ensure Bex escapes. But also, there’s a kind of mental reckoning as they use each other as therapists, because what you really want is a life-and-death situation to compound your mental problems, and that’ll really clarify things for you.
✦ Cute detail that long ago Martians long ago used Earth as a dumping ground—nice, Earth has been a dumpster since Y4B—thus spurring the development of organic life on our planet.
thoughts
✦ Fish was sexually abused by his relative when he was young. There’s no indication that it was ever addressed, and he became a scientist but also heavily medicated, to the point that when he was off his medication, he was kinda wild. I just want to at least see someone beat his relative’s face in.
✦ It was so strange when Fish and Bex encountered each other again. I literally thought that months had gone by and that Fish had spaced out or hallucinated for those months.
✦ In the end, I’m more on the “I don’t quite get it” spectrum. This story just doesn’t speak to me and I’m not super into either, or any, of the characters. It was interesting enough for its length but I’m glad it wasn’t much longer. Ah well.
additional: my interpretations of the ending
it’s all a hallucination: A death hallucination, or visions of a dying Fish after the lava floor collapsed on him. Or Kallakore/the processor goes Matrix on Fish’s ass and is feeding him this world/adventure.
it’s a hallucination after a certain point: Bex escapes, but Fish succumbs to the lava, and then hallucinates everything after that.
it’s not Fish: Fish’s body is replicated or occupied by Kallakore, and that’s who the “rescuers” (if they even are rescuers) find—it looks like Fish, but it’s not Fish.
✦ In this future, space travel is a reality, and Fisher (Fish) and Egunsola (Bex) are scientists on Mars. Fish is a disgraced scientist, having destroyed equipment worth millions of dollars.
✦ Fish and Bex clash, but they are both trapped in a subterranean underworld controlled by a “processor” who 1) refuses to let them leave and 2) insists on giving them “gifts.” For Fish: medication. For Bex: communication. For Levi: an organic body.
✦ We find out details about their lives and their pasts, which gives us some insight into their personalities.
✦ There are two halves to the “processor.” The processor was made by what I believe was one of Mars’ original inhabitants, calling herself Kallakore. Kalla died, but the processor took over her personality/persona, manifesting itself as Kalla. The “processor” is also hardware/software that’s so high-tech it’s become organic.
✦ Kalla-processor believes that in order to maintain this remnant of Martian society/technology that exists, the “closed loop” system must be maintained — which mean nothing gets out. (But something is able to get in, so … right there it’s already not a closed loop system, isn’t it?) Kalla-processor wants to keep both Fish and Bex in its system.
✦ The whole story is Bex (and Fish) trying to find a way out of the system while Kalla tries to keep them in. Eventually Fish makes a sacrifice to ensure Bex escapes. But also, there’s a kind of mental reckoning as they use each other as therapists, because what you really want is a life-and-death situation to compound your mental problems, and that’ll really clarify things for you.
✦ Cute detail that long ago Martians long ago used Earth as a dumping ground—nice, Earth has been a dumpster since Y4B—thus spurring the development of organic life on our planet.
thoughts
✦ Fish was sexually abused by his relative when he was young. There’s no indication that it was ever addressed, and he became a scientist but also heavily medicated, to the point that when he was off his medication, he was kinda wild. I just want to at least see someone beat his relative’s face in.
✦ It was so strange when Fish and Bex encountered each other again. I literally thought that months had gone by and that Fish had spaced out or hallucinated for those months.
✦ In the end, I’m more on the “I don’t quite get it” spectrum. This story just doesn’t speak to me and I’m not super into either, or any, of the characters. It was interesting enough for its length but I’m glad it wasn’t much longer. Ah well.
additional: my interpretations of the ending
it’s all a hallucination: A death hallucination, or visions of a dying Fish after the lava floor collapsed on him. Or Kallakore/the processor goes Matrix on Fish’s ass and is feeding him this world/adventure.
it’s a hallucination after a certain point: Bex escapes, but Fish succumbs to the lava, and then hallucinates everything after that.
it’s not Fish: Fish’s body is replicated or occupied by Kallakore, and that’s who the “rescuers” (if they even are rescuers) find—it looks like Fish, but it’s not Fish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
A solid piece of sci-fi work and one of the best webcomics I read.
"It's too late to be perfect, but it's never too late to be better"
"- This is a new experience for me. Failing... Giving up.
- This is not giving up. This is trying something new."
Mare Internum is set in a future where space travel is a reality, and research on Mars are being held on site. The scifi part of the webcomic is well done and plausible. I certainly learnt some things I did not know about Mars and what has been discovered thus far readind the author's notes.
This is a story about extraterrestrial exploration, but most of all, it's a story about reaching rock bottom, both literally and metaphorically; about the things that keeps us stuck and what ultimately can free us. We should not be afraid of asking for /accepting help, and while being hopeful can be too much, we can try to keep being curious.
All the characters has their own secret and trauma and are deeply flawed, but being flawed does not mean you don't have any worth and don't deserve better, and as a depressed person reading this was really hearthwarming.
(Content Warning: Abuse, Attempted Suicide, Blood/Gore, Body Horror, Mental Illness, Child Sexual Abuse. Regarding the latter, it's in a flashback in the first interlude, and while depicted with sensitivity, can be really triggering)
"It's too late to be perfect, but it's never too late to be better"
"- This is a new experience for me. Failing... Giving up.
- This is not giving up. This is trying something new."
Mare Internum is set in a future where space travel is a reality, and research on Mars are being held on site. The scifi part of the webcomic is well done and plausible. I certainly learnt some things I did not know about Mars and what has been discovered thus far readind the author's notes.
This is a story about extraterrestrial exploration, but most of all, it's a story about reaching rock bottom, both literally and metaphorically; about the things that keeps us stuck and what ultimately can free us. We should not be afraid of asking for /accepting help, and while being hopeful can be too much, we can try to keep being curious.
All the characters has their own secret and trauma and are deeply flawed, but being flawed does not mean you don't have any worth and don't deserve better, and as a depressed person reading this was really hearthwarming.
(Content Warning: Abuse, Attempted Suicide, Blood/Gore, Body Horror, Mental Illness, Child Sexual Abuse. Regarding the latter, it's in a flashback in the first interlude, and while depicted with sensitivity, can be really triggering)
March 2, 2020
I'm not the right reader for a graphic novel like this. It's more about philosophy than adventure and sci-fi.
I'm not a smart reader and when the story I'm reading is full of phisolophycal questions - such as who I am? Where am I going? Where do I come from - my brain goes puff! It can appreciate the art of the graphic novel but most of the content is lost to him.
This is what happened with this graphic novel. My brain adored the luscious art but… the content… I didn't even understand that the little guy in the swimming pool was the main character… I know, my fault!
I think I got a little part of what it was about but it's not enough to fully appreciate the story. But I want to say it again: it's all my fault! I didn't get why Michael had all that things growing on him. I was confused by all sci-fi terms about Mars that made my reading a bit awkward. And Kalla… Didn't like her at all.
But the art is fantastic! A bit too dark here and there but it's a feast for the eye.
I'll continue supporting the author for her work. I'm extremely interested in The Meek, for instance… ^__^
I'm not a smart reader and when the story I'm reading is full of phisolophycal questions - such as who I am? Where am I going? Where do I come from - my brain goes puff! It can appreciate the art of the graphic novel but most of the content is lost to him.
This is what happened with this graphic novel. My brain adored the luscious art but… the content… I didn't even understand that the little guy in the swimming pool was the main character… I know, my fault!
I think I got a little part of what it was about but it's not enough to fully appreciate the story. But I want to say it again: it's all my fault! I didn't get why Michael had all that things growing on him. I was confused by all sci-fi terms about Mars that made my reading a bit awkward. And Kalla… Didn't like her at all.
But the art is fantastic! A bit too dark here and there but it's a feast for the eye.
I'll continue supporting the author for her work. I'm extremely interested in The Meek, for instance… ^__^
July 13, 2020
This book is something else. The book itself is GORGEOUS. Heavy and nice paper and French flaps and just very pretty. Metallic title. Love! The art is perfect. (The lettering is much bigger than I'm used to, but I adapted.) The story is...wild. Mars! Underground water! [[redacted]] [[redacted]] [[redacted!]]
BUT THE THING GROWING OUT OF HIS LEG IS HORRIFYING.
Seriously. I can't get over it.
[[runs away screaming]]
And the people-aspects of the story are good, too. Lots of human moments. Michael is pretty messed up. He's gone through some shit. Bex is...I feel a lot for Bex. She just wants to be listened to and respected and wants someone to realize she's a valid human even though she doesn't want to be a mother (that's a VERY very simplistic/oversimplifying reading of Bex, and it's only one aspect of her whole being, but it's one she struggles with a lot).
THE THING. IN HIS LEG.
This has been nominated for the Eisner for Best Digital Comic this year. I haven't read any of the other nominees yet, but I hope it wins!
(H I S . L E G . Flap!)
BUT THE THING GROWING OUT OF HIS LEG IS HORRIFYING.
Seriously. I can't get over it.
[[runs away screaming]]
And the people-aspects of the story are good, too. Lots of human moments. Michael is pretty messed up. He's gone through some shit. Bex is...I feel a lot for Bex. She just wants to be listened to and respected and wants someone to realize she's a valid human even though she doesn't want to be a mother (that's a VERY very simplistic/oversimplifying reading of Bex, and it's only one aspect of her whole being, but it's one she struggles with a lot).
THE THING. IN HIS LEG.
This has been nominated for the Eisner for Best Digital Comic this year. I haven't read any of the other nominees yet, but I hope it wins!
(H I S . L E G . Flap!)
January 25, 2024
A comic about broken people finding weird life on Mars. The art (especially the colors) is clean and inviting - It it a bit part of why this is easy to read compulsively. The story is interesting, though honestly I had a little trouble following a couple parts. That's the main reason I felt unsure about it at the end. I can describe the conclusion in broad strokes, but I feel like I didn't follow everything that went down in their personal journeys of discovery.
This was originally a webcomic, and it translated well to book form. However, I think I did prefer that format. Watching the story unfold a page at a time over years made it feel more dreamy and mysterious. (Not to mention the comment section. People who discover this in book form won't even know what "thighfriend" means!) It was surprising to see how quickly some scenes went by when I could hold the whole story in my hand. I also think that some of the more triggery scenes were toned down a bit? And, as beautiful as the book is, the binding couldn't survive a single read-through :(
This was originally a webcomic, and it translated well to book form. However, I think I did prefer that format. Watching the story unfold a page at a time over years made it feel more dreamy and mysterious. (Not to mention the comment section. People who discover this in book form won't even know what "thighfriend" means!) It was surprising to see how quickly some scenes went by when I could hold the whole story in my hand. I also think that some of the more triggery scenes were toned down a bit? And, as beautiful as the book is, the binding couldn't survive a single read-through :(
December 11, 2020
This book is absolutely gorgeous! I found myself running to people in the house to say, “Look, just look at this page!” I still marvel over the beauty of the artwork. The aesthetic is incredible.
I did find that I struggled to understand some of the pages and went back to reread a couple times because I was struggling to follow some of the plot in the very beginning. However, once I realized where I was making assumptions that I shouldn’t I was able to follow the story a great deal better.
I highly recommend this book, though for anyone who might be triggered by depictions of a suicide attempt, tread carefully. I recommended the book to someone who was not expecting this and she didn’t make it past the first page.
I did find that I struggled to understand some of the pages and went back to reread a couple times because I was struggling to follow some of the plot in the very beginning. However, once I realized where I was making assumptions that I shouldn’t I was able to follow the story a great deal better.
I highly recommend this book, though for anyone who might be triggered by depictions of a suicide attempt, tread carefully. I recommended the book to someone who was not expecting this and she didn’t make it past the first page.
June 21, 2020
I did not know about this webcomic series. I don't even remember HOW I found out about the Kickstarter for this book. However, I remember it was overdue and it didn't bother me. It never does when that happens with campaigns. After it was finally released, arrived and sat on my shelf for who knows how long, I finally read this book!
It deals with the loneliness, hopelessness and helplessness we feel and how it is worse than failing! The fear of failing overcoming us and leading us further away from everyone and farther down the sea of self-pity and self-destruction. What a wonderful book. Truly enjoyed reading it. I recommend you read it today!!!
It deals with the loneliness, hopelessness and helplessness we feel and how it is worse than failing! The fear of failing overcoming us and leading us further away from everyone and farther down the sea of self-pity and self-destruction. What a wonderful book. Truly enjoyed reading it. I recommend you read it today!!!
October 21, 2022
A graphic novel version of a webcomic about a two scientists that get trapped in an interior ocean and cavern on Mars. Michael is depressed and lonely. Bex is also lonely and feeling worthless. It's a story as much about their emotional journeys as much as it about their journey to escape. The illustrations are detailed and stunning which really transport you to the internal sea.
notes: suicide, depression, child sexual abuse, grooming by an uncle, loneliness, expectations of motherhood, feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness
notes: suicide, depression, child sexual abuse, grooming by an uncle, loneliness, expectations of motherhood, feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness
March 17, 2024
I first read this when it was still being published as a webcomic, and I've just finished it reading it all for a second time. It's a great story about depression and isolation, but I find that the direct metaphor weighs a little too heavy on the story at times, making it confusing to figure out what is really happening to the characters, especially towards the end. I love myself some ambiguity, but when half the comments are "I'm not sure what exactly is happening here", then maybe your point isn't exactly being driven across the way you want to.
Anyway, *thrip*.
Anyway, *thrip*.
February 10, 2021
My love for this graphic novel is two big things: the compassion for the highly imperfect characters, and the amazingly beautiful art which includes really naturalistic caricatures, which I am partial to. Even the art is compassionate, making all of these regular-looking characters appealing. I didn’t foresee that I would love a graphic novel about mental illness, aliens and science, but I love it so much. 💖
July 14, 2023
This is a curious story which I didn't quite know what to make of. A web comic, it tells the story of two astronauts who are part of an expedition exploring Mars who find themselves in an underground sea inhabited by a strange, alien being. How they react to this, and to the other beings they find there, is a curious tale and beautifully illustrated.
August 27, 2020
Highly intelligent life on Mars in sub-surface lakes, determined to stay hidden. Two humans and a robotic AI enter this realm and are changed in ways designed to make them stay. Or something like that. I didn’t always follow the somewhat abstract narrative. The art is magnificently competent, and the story held my attention, so it may be worth reading.
January 18, 2020
Smart, deep, and beautiful, Mare Internum is everything I want a science fiction story to be. An exploration of a fantastical alien world ultimately used as a mirror to reflect on questions and struggles of importance to us here in the present.
December 16, 2020
como é diferente ler um quadrinho de uma vez, em vez de algumas atualizações por mês. agora reler tudo de uma vez me fez perceber melhor os temas e os diálogos ótimos. que saudades já desses personagens fudidos da cabeça que eu amo.
August 19, 2022
I’m not a smart reader so I didn’t fully “get” what was happening in a deeper way. The art is gorgeous, the characters interesting, and I definitely felt an emotion at the end. I put this one on the shared shelf in my apartment so my roommates can check it out too.
March 31, 2020
Good art, good story. Kalla's design is so cool and unique. I love thrip :)
September 29, 2021
Well drawn and interesting story about how even a broken life is worth saving.
November 29, 2021
I see what the writer was trying to do but it felt disjointed and repetitive and ultimately failed to evoke the emotions it sought
July 15, 2022
Strange, beautiful and fascinating. This comic explores mental illness and desire quite well.
August 5, 2024
This story hits differently for me now that I am older and I guess have more/different life experiences. I loved it online and I still like it on paper. There are so many knowns and unknowns.
September 5, 2019
Beautiful art coupled with an intense and creative scifi story. Brilliant!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews