The Unknown

The Unknown #1

by Mark Waid, Minck Oosterveer (Illustrator)

She has solved every mystery known to man. But there is one mystery that remains... UNKNOWN! Revered as the smartest person alive, Catherine Allingham is the world's most famous private investigator. Follow her adventures as she sets out to solve the one mystery she's never been able to crack-death! A new graphic novel series from Mark Waid (KINGDOM COME) in the vein of RUSE with international superstar Minck Ooosterveer.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Paranormal

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid does a nice job juggling the practical with the supernatural as his heroine Cat Allingham tries to solve the mystery of the hereafter. Cat’s given six months to live and because she’s a world renowned super sleuth she wants to solve the mystery as to what is exactly in store for her when she dies.

Waid keeps his characters and the reader off balance, as Cat and her ex-bouncer assistant chase specters (or are they?) throughout Eastern Europe. Nice blend of humor, action and the supernatural. My lone quibble would be with the lackluster art.

Recommended for fans of strong heroines, sleuths and the supernatural.

[Jan Philipzig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, left me cold. I know, bustiest Holmes ever teams up with bar-bouncing assistant to solve the mystery of death sounds like a fail-safe premise, but I'm afraid this just wasn't for me. Can't say it was bad, really, just that I did not at all connect with the main characters for some reason.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear, I read a graphic novel that had an almost identical opening scene except it later turned out that the detective lady was lying about having a terminal illness which has not so far been suggested here.

[Julio Bonilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Allingham suffers from a brain tumor, hence hallucinations. I thought she had A.D.H.D at first. Plus she wears a low cut blouse, which makes her look like a party girl. Lovely artwork!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat Allingham ist ein weiblicher moderner Sherlock Holmes. Gutaussehend, smart, zupackend und - sie hat einen Hirntumor.

Der nächtliche Besucher, der sie plagt, ist doch wohl nur eine Wahnvorstellung, vom Tumor verursacht?


In den letzten ihr verbleibenden Monaten ihres Lebens will sie wissen, ob es eine unsterbliche Seele gibt.

Schon im Altertum haben Ärzte Sterbende gewogen, um festzustellen, ob der Leichnam Gewicht verloren hat - das wäre dann das Gewicht der Seele. Heute gibt es natürlich genauere Messmethoden als noch vor 100 Jahren.


Cat läßt sich auf düstere Abenteuer ein, die den Puls hochtreiben. So bekommt sie es auf einer Zugfahrt mit einem wahrhaft angsteinflößenden und ungewöhnlichen Gegner zu tun, und wenn sie mit ihrem bulligen Angestellsten schließlich eine "Tür zum Jenseits" findet, mag das etwas dick aufgetragen und auch klischeehaft sein, aber darauf konnte ich mich gut einlassen. Wer wissen will, was nach dem Tod geschieht, darf da nicht zimperlich sein.

Mark Waid erzählt gewohnt souverän und mitreissend, die Artwork von Oosterveeer ist cool.
(Es gibt übrigens einen Fortsetzungsband)

Fazit: Sympathisch, spannend, gruselig; 4,5 Sterne

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://youtu.be/ZyAkrSsShbg

[Jays · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really neat Sherlock Holmes-y story about a super sleuth who decides to to solve the mystery of what happens after you die upon learning that she only has six months left to live.

My only complaint was that the story moved too quickly, jumping to the conclusion too soon, although I understand it was only allotted four issues initially, so that explains some of that. Still, the book accomplishes enough of its initial goal to give you a story but still leaves plenty of room to learn more about these characters and the situation.

Major points also for some actually truly creepy scenes and visuals, something that's not that easy to do for most comic books.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very solid premise is undermined by a lack of depth. Catherine Allingham is is considered the smartest person alive, and possibly the world's greatest detective. She picks up an intelligent assistant for his brain and muscle as she is heading out to investigate the world's first allegedly quantum crime. Her character hook? An inoperable brain tumor that will kill her in 6 months, and she wants to answer the one question no one else has. What lies beyond death. This is all a very solid base, but the crime, the investigation, and the one lingering mystery undercut the premise a bit.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Video Review: http://youtu.be/NwIoOemRfGE

This is a fantastic fast-paced mystery/thriller graphic novel with a strong female lead. I especially loved the use of an unreliable narrator, which added an interesting layer to the story telling. If you choose to pick up this graphic novel, expect a dark, creepy, & gripping read.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool stuff. Creepy. Smart. Clever dialogue. Everything I like in a comic.

I'm sorry to hear there's only one more volume in the series. But I'm ordering that right now.

[Mangrii · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 / 5

A Catherine Allingham, una detective de alto nivel en casos sobrenaturales, le han diagnosticado 6 meses de vida debido a un tumor cerebral terminal que le produce una serie de alucinaciones. Requerida por unos científicos en Viena por el robo de una extraña caja que pesa cualquier sustancia con una precisión atómica de su propia invención, pide ayuda a un ex – gorila de discoteca con muy buenas habilidades de percepción para embarcarse en una trama sobrenatural que se complica.

Mezclando una trama de lo más detectivescas con temas paranormales y aventuras de alto nivel, llega esta historia que se centra en el enfrentamiento entre la fe y la ciencia a la hora de saber que ocurre después de morir. Con un ritmo trepidante a través de cuatro capítulos, esta revisión de la pareja Sherlock & Watson se mete de lleno en una trama con un punto de ciencia ficción donde se recogen un buen puñado de clichés del género, pero que su guionista retuerce para ofrecernos algo nuevo y único. Si os gustan las historias policíacas, la aventura, y las tramas sobrenaturales, echadle un vistazo porque lo pasareis genial.

El guionista de todo es Marl Waid, conocido y alabado por algunos títulos como The Flash, Capitán América o Kingdom Come. En el apartado gráfico se presenta un europeo por desgracia fallecido, Minck Oosterveer, un buen narrador visual que me ha resultado impactante en algunas escenas, con un buen juego de claroscuros reflejados en unos ambientes de lo más tenebrosos. Su estilo, más que sobrio y correcto, destaca en los momentos de acción como la escena del tren. El tomo incluye además una introducción esplendida de Gail Simone y las portadas originales o alternativas de los cuatro números publicados. Por otro lado, ya se anuncia que próximamente tendremos el segundo y por desgracia último volumen, El demonio hecho carne, ya que, tras la muerte de su dibujante, Waid no ha vuelto a esta historia.

[William Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately, I've been spending my days watching my way through the entire 12 seasons of Murder, She Wrote on Netflix. I love it. I don't know that I should, but I do. And I like it a lot. So I guess that may be why I'm rating this a little higher than it deserves. Because I enjoyed it for no good reason and not because it is any great shakes.

And really that's what this book is. Murder, She Wrote meets Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

The positives of the book are that it has two very strong and likeable lead characters. It has a somewhat cinematic edge to it. It involves investigating the afterlife, a cult, scientific discoveries of the soul and a Japanese golem. The covers are just some of the most gorgeous works around, comic books or no.

The downsides are that the art is fairly awful and only barely competent. The colors look washed out and muddied. The story is rushed and hurried and it should have been afew issues longer to give us more insight and depth. The book is all surface so far, just like a TV drama. Sometimes the dialogue is stiff.

But despite the downsides to the book, I was smiling all the way through it. Because I think that this series is just coming into itself. I think it has a bright future. And I'm hoping I'm right.

[B.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th graphic novel I have read from Boom! Comics. I think they produce some good stuff.

I would probably mark this 3.5 stars, but it's on the high side so I marked it 4.

I like the premise of the story but felt like it fell a little flat on the science vs. supernatural aspect. There were some (what I believe to be) clearly supernatural elements, but the main character discounts them. I don't actually know if it was normal or supernatural. I know it is a series and there is another compilation, so I'm hoping there is more explaining in there.

I like Catherine, but they really need to challenge her certainty in science. Her situation and the case are great windows, but I wish they had driven the stake home. At the end, I was not sure if she had actually gone through any change. Doyle was a great addition.

I liked it and will look for a good deal on the second one. I really hope they push the characters a little further in the next book.

[Lionel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope. I didn't know what is was going to be about but nope. No way I was going to like this. You cannot put a door to afterlife in a realistic universe. Nope.

Also, it feels like Sherlock-Holmes fanfict (The greatest detective who has solved every mystery ? The sidekick called Doyle (like arthur conan...)

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant detective with mental issues hires an offbeat assistant to solve ONE LAST MYSTERY. Oh, wait, should I be more specific? There are supernatural elements. What do you mean that doesn't really narrow it down much more? Eh, that's not totally fair. Waid does a serviceable job with the plot and the characters. An observant bouncer is a new type, I suppose. I liked the first volume enough to keep reading, but only because I have easy access to the next two volumes.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this because of a short preview at the back of a volume of Waid's "Irredeemable". The preview made me think this was a sort of mystery series, and I was disappointed to find out it wasn't. But I did enjoy what it actually was - something similar to Hellboy or BPRD.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I love Waid's Daredevil. I wasn't disappointed, it was an interesting storyline with decent artwork, that had enough adventure to keep me into the story.

[María Eugenia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me pareció muy floja la historia. El dibujo un poco meh.

[Francine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but I wasn't blown away by it.

[Zachariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun thriller with Sherlock energy. Don't feel the need to read the second volume though

[Joshua Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious where the next volume goes, but I wish this arc was a little longer to give the story and characters more breathing room.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Unknown" , written by Mark Waid and with stunning artwork by Minck Oosterveer is a fast paced imaginative work of horror tinged urban fantasy that remains somewhat disappointing in that it never really resolves any major plot points.

[Highland G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fast read, not much really happens or is explained.
Maybe in vol 2.
If you can ignore the specifics and just enjoy the ride, its a fun read. A fun take on a female Sherlock homes who doesn’t believe in magic. Oh and lots of cleavage shots, because that’s what the readers want in a detective story right.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy and interesting, a quick read but it sticks with you for a bit. I do wish someone would let comic book artists know about the existence of bras and gravity though.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat Allingham is the world’s greatest detective, and with just six months left to live she’s determined to solve the world’s greatest mystery: what happens when we die?

Unfortunately, Cat’s brilliant mind is being somewhat clouded by the hallucinations her illness causes, and she employs ex-bouncer James Doyle to help her distinguish between imagination and reality as she tracks down a stolen machine, built to measure the weight of a person’s soul. As her visions spiral out of control, Cat finds the one thing she clings to - her almost fanatical rationality - under attack…

The Unknown is exactly what one might expect from Mark Waid - surprising, meaningful, intriguing. It sits comfortably somewhere between mystery and horror, and sets out to entertain rather than figure out the Meaning of Life. The artwork, by Minck Oosterveer, does occasionally err on the side of cheesecake, but is mostly extraordinarily beautiful and creepy.

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise and the art looked interesting when I flipped through it in the library, but honestly I picked this one up on the strength of "hey, it's published by Boom".

It's pretty much what it says on the tin, with bonus interesting arguments about science and some funny banter. I definitely like the art, which favors heavy lines and good negative space -- not quite Mignola, but leaning toward him from a more standard realism. I do like the plot, but I am feeling a little dubious about the ending: specifically, to spoil the ending completely, the way that James, who was brought along to be Catherine's assistant, lied to her to keep her from opening the final door. It...sits wrong. I want to read the next one largely to find out if that ever gets resolved or if it becomes a bad pattern.

Definitely, though, Boom is growing into a studio I feel I can trust.

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of the Boom trades (this one in hardcover) that I picked up on sale. I've always enjoyed Waid's comics and his non-superhero stuff is probably even better than the superhero books. This is a mystery, perhaps a bit of a fantasy, maybe with a touch of horror, story about a private investigator who's searching for the truth of the afterlife. Her investigation - or so she keeps claiming - is based on science, not mysticism, although the conclusion to the mystery is a bit mystical and a bit unclear. This reminds me somewhat of Waid's work on Ruse. The art by European artist Minck Oversterveer is great - clear, basic, and very appropriate for the story. The first page is silent and creepy enough to draw the reader further into the story.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine is dying but she isn't going to spend her time layed up in a hospital. She plans on living her life as though nothing is wrong and continueing her detective work. She hires James Doyle, a bouncer, to work as her assisstant b/c she believes that the tumor in her brain is causing her hallucinations (and sometimes, it is) however there is more going on then meets the eye.

Loved Catherine and James and the way she solves mysteries is interesting. I liked how the book just jumped in w/o trying to explain everything ahead of time. It was nice to just see everything come out into the open naturally.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3 1/2 stars is more correct. It's better than a 3, but I couldn't quite give it a 4, due to the rushed pacing.
The basic premise is outstanding...a modern woman who has applied a brilliant intellect to the task of being a modern Sherlock Holmes, given what amounts to a death sentence by her doctor. Her response, which is to try to solve the mystery of death itself, is fascinating. The story rushes a bit too quickly, though, and the boundary between medicated hallucination and altered reality is a bit too thin in spots, especially in the hasty resolution.
The artwork was outstanding for the most part, but a bit too cartoony in the asylum sequence, which for me was the weakest part.

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might make a good TV show, but the comic left me a bit cold. Two interesting leads ( the world's greatest detective who has run out of good mysteries and is now trying to solve the ultimate questions and her watson, an ex-bouncer) and some great ideas never quite work as a complete story. Too much weirdness is thrown at the reader and then very little effort is made to explain it, as we are constantly rushing onto the next vague weird thing.

The ending was pretty weak as well.
Lots of potential and very little payoff.