Our look a the newest collections of comic book titles release by TKO Studios comes to an end with a look at the first issue of Eve of Extinction, an end of the world style tale where a troubled family must fight to survive when a strange type of rain turn all the men into disfigured, rage filled monsters. Will Eve of Extinction go the way of the Dodo or can it evolve into a title which will fly off the shelves?

Publisher: TKO Studios
Writer: Salvatore A. Simeone, Steve Simeone
Artist: Nik Virella (Artist), Arianna Maher (Letterer)
Price: £1.99 from ComiXology

Eve of Extinction #1 begins the story of Antonia Nyugen and her family; parents Eddie and Elizabeth and her birth mother, Christine, who has recently returned to Antonia’s life after repeatedly running out on her, leaving their relationship strained. However, the turmoil Christine’s return brings to the Nyugen household may be of little consequence when a large storm, containing a dangerous form of rain, descends on the town, transforming all the men into gruesome, angry creatures intent on killing those who survive. So now, the surviving Nyugen members must put aside their differences in order to escape this new terror before it is too late.

TKO head honcho Salvatore A. Simeone flexes his writing muscles with namesake partner Steve to create an Intriguing and engrossing story which feels like a cross between Man-Eaters (but with Men as the predators rather than the prey) and Black Summer – or the early scenes from the Dawn of the Dead remake. This first issue comes across as very much a set up issue, but the Simeones pull this off well with a nice casual pacing which doesn’t lag and a good attempt of setting the scene like all good zombie/horror movies.

Chief amongst this set up is the character dynamics for the core Nyugen family as well as Christine. This is because, while very little is divulged in regards to their personalities, the conflict between these characters certainly helps to raise the stakes as well as provide a level of grounding. In the end, the issue leaves us with a great number of questions, which are highly compelling, sticking with this reviewer long after the final page is closed.

Meanwhile, Nik Virella’s artwork is equally memorable, with its soft, clean pencils and a colour scheme which looks vibrant yet grounded to keep with the believability giving this issue a very unique look. However, Virella also ramps things up, particularly in the opening pages where a visually striking night sequence looking like some from a Francavilla horror comic and introducing creatures which look like a cross between a Doctor Who villain and Michael Rooker’s appearance in Slither. In truth, these creatures are an incredibly memorable part of this issue as not only does Virella’s look hit home, but Maher’s lettering to depict their shrieks is as chilling as their looks are horrific.

With a well put together story, interesting character dynamics and a really lovely art style, Eve of Extinction is a comic which sets itself up with many questions that readers will not be able to help but to seek the answers for. With the casual pace of this first instalment set up now at an end, if the EoE’s presents itself in a breakneck pace that this opener has teased, this series will be another great string to TKO’s bow.