Kraken Vol. 1 review — A high-stakes supernatural adventure set in the 1930s

Ah, the 1930s. A decade filled with turmoil all around the world, all leading up to the global horror that was World War II. With everything that occurred throughout the decade, you might think there’s nothing that could have made it worse. Well, you’d be wrong, as writer Shannon Eric Denton shows us in the thrilling supernatural tale that is Kraken!

**Mild spoilers ahead for Kraken Vol. 1**

Our story begins at the dawn of the 1930s, where Captain Kraken is in the middle of a daring mission to rescue his girlfriend from pirates under the command of the fiendish Baron Black. The rescue mission is a success, but as Kraken prepares to fly off into the sunset, a mysterious violet vortex engulfs his plane, tearing him away from his friends and the world he knows. 

Three years later, the crew of a ship finds themselves facing a terrifying sight as a violet light appears in the sky, bringing with it Kraken’s plane and monstrous tentacles that threaten the ship. Fortunately, the plane makes short work of the beast, and the portal closes, leaving the plane to fly in the direction of a nearby island. Captain Kraken has returned, but he is far from the same man who disappeared three years before. The things he encountered during his time in the other realm have changed him forever, and not in a “newfound perspective” kind of way. Without giving too much away, let’s just say his name is far more fitting now. 

Joining up with his old friend Luis, Kraken begins a quest to find Baron Black in order to stop a Nazi plot to release a supernatural horror upon the world, gaining new allies along the way. They’ll need all the help they can get, though, as Baron Black and his ally/master, the Sea Witch, are far more dangerous than any of them realize, and their plans won’t be easily stopped.

From start to finish, this is a fun story. It’s like a weird cross between Indiana Jones and Lovecraftian horror, with all the whimsical, action-packed fun of old serials from the early to mid-1900s. But where Indiana Jones stayed largely grounded in the real world, Kraken fully leans into the supernatural weirdness of its premise, with most of the characters quickly accepting whatever strangeness they encounter, whether that be a monster or some arcane magic. This really helped to sell the serial-esque vibe Shannon Eric Denton seems to be going for, as we’re not bogged down by large bouts of exposition or introspection, save for what is necessary to establish the threat. 

David Hartman’s artwork further adds to the old-school cartoon feel of the story. The illustrations are largely minimalist, focusing more on presenting the story than providing intricately detailed scenes and characters. The monsters in particular are depicted as crude and horrific, the wildness of their designs adding an aura of horror to them, particularly in contrast to the smoother, simpler designs of the human characters. Finally, there are the color choices. Scenes in which the protagonists find themselves facing off against human foes are depicted upon backdrops of clear skies of blue or deep navy, while scenes full of eldritch horror are full of greens both vibrant and dark and sinister reds and violets, all of which give an air of unnatural dread to the panels.

Though overall an incredibly fun experience, the story is not without its flaws. Some of these can be attributed to the old-school serial vibe that the story is striving for, such as conflicts being resolved a bit too easily or scenes moving at a pace that can feel a bit rushed. I can overlook those issues given that they’re done in the service of presenting a particular type of story. 

However, I would have appreciated a bit more exposition about certain things in the story. For example, it would have been nice to know more about the antagonist, as all we’re told about him is that he’s evil and that he has some kind of connection to magic. The same goes for the Nazi connection to the supernatural threat the heroes are racing to stop. Other than a few swastikas, the story doesn’t really make much of a connection between them and Nazi Germany besides telling us that they’re involved. Compare that to something like Indiana Jones, which likewise made a connection between Nazis and a supernatural power. There, we’re told what the power is and how the Nazis are able to obtain it. Here? Not so much. Granted, this could be something that’s touched on more in a future story, as the book leaves itself open for a sequel, but in the context of this standalone book, it causes the story to feel all the more rushed. 

Despite these flaws, though, the story is undeniably a fun ride, and one that I very much hope will continue. Whether you’re a fan of old-school serials or just want a quick, action-packed story to enjoy, Kraken is sure to deliver. 

Kraken Vol. 1 is available now from Titan Comics.