FAR DOWN BELOW #1, by Mad Cave Studios on 3/26/25, follows a pair of boys in a small PA town on an adventure that may lead to a dark terror waiting below the Earth.
Credits:
- Writer: Chris Condon
- Artist: Gegê Schall
- Colorist: Gegê Schall
- Letterer: Nathan Kempf
- Cover Artist: Jacob Phillips
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: March 26, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (language)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of FAR DOWN BELOW #1:
Plot Analysis:
Far Down Below #1 begins with a flashback to Eastern Pennsylvania in 1865. A trio of scientists emerges in an underground cavern after boring through the Earth’s crust in a drilling machine. The cavern’s existence confirms a long-held theory by scientists that the Earth has a hollow ecosystem. Suddenly, the scientists are beset by creatures with glowing eyes who snuff out the expedition.
In 1983, school friends Brian and Jeff played on a porch on a rainy afternoon. When Brian’s mother asks the boys to go into the basement to retrieve a bottle of wine for dinner, the boys find evidence that Brian’s family owned the local “haunted” house. Jeff urges Brian to make up an excuse to get out of the house so they can explore the haunted house.
When the boys arrive, they hear strange knocking noises and odd voices coming from all directions. When they search the upstairs rooms, they find the knocking noise is caused by a branch tapping against a window in the stormy weather. A lightning strike sets the branch on fire and sends it crashing through the window, sending the boys running downstairs.
The weakened floor at the base of the staircase gives way, sending the boys falling into the cellar below. When the boys get to their feet, they see a lighted doorway and the shadow of a figure.
First Impressions:
Chris Condon is back with a uniquely different tale than the sizzling slow burns he’s known for. Far Down Below heavily leverages familiar properties like Strange Things, IT, and The Goonies to tickle your nostalgia bone for stories about young teens investigating a hidden danger in their sleepy town. All things considered, the series is off to a solid start.
Artwork and Presentation:
This is our first exposure to Gegê Schall’s work, so we were pleasantly surprised. Schall’s style is accessible for the Young Adult (YA) tone of the story without getting too cartoonish. Schall’s character designs are distinctive, which is a plus for a character-driven tale, and the creepy elements are on point.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Readers who are fans of the kind of Spielberg-era films like The Goonies will find a lot to like in this issue, particularly in Chris Condon’s use of move-line references and general character vibes of the adventure. The setup is classic B-movie sci-fi goodness, and the execution is excellent.
The Negatives:
There’s not much to criticize in this first issue beyond a few nitpicks. Chris Condon gives you a classic mystery setup with intriguing bits that mean the mystery is more than a Scooby Doo/man-in-a-mask red herring, which is a big plus.
Final Thoughts:
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
FAR DOWN BELOW #1 is a classic setup for fans of The Goonies and Stranger Things about a pair of boys uncovering a mystery (literally) beneath their feet. Chris Condon hits all the right notes for Spielberg films in his prime, and Gegê Schall’s artwork suits the script to a tee.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.