The Bunker, Vol. 1
Written by Joshua Halle Fialkov
Illustrated, Colored, and Lettered by Joe Infurnari
Oni Press
Release Date: August 6, 2014
Cover Price: $19.99

There’s only one thing scarier than knowing the world is going to end, and that’s knowing that you are the one who will cause its collapse. In The Bunker, Vol. 1, written by Joshua Hale Fialkov and illustrated by Joe Infurnari, a group of young adults discover letters from their future selves revealing their individual involvement in the apocalypse.

Fialkov delivers a gripping tale of destiny versus freewill with The Bunker, Vol. 1. The frightening concept of the story, with a cataclysmic event as its foundation, is broad in scope and masterfully executed. The characters he’s created, their lives and fates intertwined for better or for worse, are beautifully flawed and heartbreakingly human — their actions driven by fear, naïveté, desperation, and resolve.

The drawings are equally impressive, as Infurnari is able to bring the main cast to the forefront of every panel, shading out passersby, showcasing the importance of the characters at hand. The colors — pale blues, dark grays, and some muted pinks, combined with gestural sketches and grim backdrops — exude gloom and desolation.

The Bunker, Vol. 1 is a well-paced, decade-spanning thriller that seamlessly employs time travel without getting too bogged down with the science behind it. With an array of philosophical and moral quandaries to ponder from just the first four chapters alone, this is one series which I cannot wait to delve into deeper to see what the future holds.