ROOK: EXODUS #9 – New Comic Review

ROOK: EXODUS #9, by Image Comics on 12/3/25, traps its heroes in a subterranean nightmare where a monstrous Arachnid and thousands of mutated spiders pose an existential threat to everything they’ve fought to save.

Credits:

• Writer: Geoff Johns
• Artist: Jason Fabok
• Colorist: Brad Anderson
• Letterer: Rob Leigh
• Cover Artist: Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: December 3, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 36
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of ROOK: EXODUS #9:

First Impressions:

The opening pages hit fast with the idea that the heroes are stuck in a place no one would ever want to visit, and the mood feels tense right away. The concept of Wardens facing a giant threat in a nest of mutated spiders is strong, and it does a good job selling the danger. The story immediately signals that this is a chapter built on survival and pressure, so the hook lands quickly.

Recap:

Issue #8 found Rook, Dire Wolf, and Matterhorn descending into Exodus’s corrupted tunnels to hunt Bloodhound, the rogue dog Warden who can restore the World Engine and save the dying planet. Their underground trek descended into darkness when Better-World’s sabotaged solar batteries cut the power. The journey became a navigation nightmare through thick spiderwebs where mutated arachnids swarmed with lethal intent. The issue climaxed with the team encountering Stag, another Warden with murky intentions, while Dire Wolf desperately hunted for her unstable father. Everything left the survivors teetering on disaster’s edge with their unity tested and panic rising.

Plot Analysis:

Rook, Dire Wolf, and Matterhorn find themselves trapped deep within the lair of Arachnid, a monstrous entity commanding thousands of ravenous, mutated spiders. Their situation is desperate, as the swarming creatures press in from every direction. With time quickly running out, the Wardens must rely on their abilities and fragile alliances to survive the encroaching threat.

The failure of Exodus’ World Engine looms over their fight, raising the stakes of their every move. If the Wardens fall here, the last hopes for restoring the dying planet may vanish entirely. The weight of Exodus’ survival pushes them to act decisively despite the overwhelming danger.

Meanwhile, tensions among the remaining Wardens escalate beyond the immediate battle. A mysterious figure known as Stag emerges with violent intentions of his own. His target is Dire Wolf’s father—Bloodhound—whose knowledge is vital to the repair of the World Engine.

As alliances strain and hostile forces multiply, the Wardens face threats from both monstrous predators and their fellow humans. Their mission to fix the World Engine becomes more uncertain as rival agendas threaten to tear their fragile coalition apart. With Exodus collapsing around them, every step forward demands sacrifice and resolve.

Story

The writing focuses on a single crisis moment, and the pacing stays tight because the entire chapter is built around one dangerous setting. The structure is straightforward, with the stakes spelled out in simple terms that tie back to the World Engine’s collapse. Dialogue is squarely centered to emphasize danger and urgency rather than character nuance.

Art

Jason Fabok’s penchant for near-photo-realistic quality and cinematic styling is on full display. You can easily see why the series took nearly an entire year off because the stunning visual quality is S-Tier. The character designs (including costumes) are impeccably rendered, the beasts are exquisitely terrifying, and the settings are rendered to within an inch of their lives.

Characters

Stag’s vaguely-defined motive (revenge for his murdered wife?) centers on killing Bloodhound, and that creates conflict for Dire Wolf. Rook and Matterhorn remain focused on saving Exodus, which keeps their motivations aligned with the main mission. The development relies on how these goals clash in the crisis, and the motivations remain consistent with the series direction.

Originality & Concept Execution

The concept of techno Wardens trapped in a living nightmare of mutated spiders is original enough to stand out. The planetary survival hook remains fresh because the story ties character stakes to the state of Exodus. The execution lands clearly on danger and high tension.

Positives

The issue leans heavily into a survival scenario, and that focus gives readers a simple route into the conflict. The stakes are tied to the state of Exodus, so the tension feels earned. The art sets the mood impeccably, and the character page adds texture by presenting Matterhorn with a strong, clear backstory that improves her presence in the chapter.

Negatives

The issue relies a bit too much on external context for full impact. Readers who are not caught up may find the Stag subplot confusing since his motives are only hinted at after multiple issues of the character’s appearance. The narrow focus on danger might feel thin if the interior scenes do not soon balance the threat with emotional beats.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity and Pacing): 2.5/4
Art Quality (Execution and Synergy): 4/4
Value (Originality and Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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ROOK: EXODUS #9 delivers a tight survival setup that should satisfy readers who want tension and clear stakes, but it may feel sparse for anyone hoping for deeper character progress. The danger is real, the setup is strong, and the mood works, though the chapter depends on context from earlier issues to land cleanly. If you are already committed to Rook’s journey, this fits neatly into the run, but if you are not caught up, this is not the best place to jump in.

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