Since his phenomenal run on Marvel’s Moon Knight, Warren Ellis has been largely absent from the world of superhero comics, instead concentrating on creator-owned projects at Image. That changes next week with the release of Karnak #1, a new series spotlighting the Inhumans’ martial artist/philosopher who recently fought his way back from the afterlife in the pages of Charles Soule’s Inhuman. It’s one of the more unlikely new debuts of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” relaunch, but also one of the most exciting, teaming an all-star writer with an unconventional character and an up-and-coming artist making his Marvel Comics debut.
The son of acclaimed Argentinean artist Jorge Zaffino, Gerardo Zaffino has a gritty art style reminiscent of his late father, with scratchy inking that brings a lot of texture to the line work. His art grounds the story, underplaying the superhero fantasy to fit the tone of Ellis’ writing. Colorist Dan Brown joins Zaffino, and his subdued palette in this preview of next week’s Karnak #1 creates a chilly atmosphere while making the lead character the focal point with his tattered green hoodie cutting through the blue. This preview is all about creating a sense of mood and place, but considering the character and creative team, there’s bound to be plenty of exhilarating action on deck.