Event Horizon has never been this hot. Sure, it had a major motion picture, but with a Certified Rotten review roundup, it was lost to time. Not anymore! Christian Ward has breathed new life into the property, first with a prequel to the movie Event Horizon: Dark Descent with artist Tristan Jones, and now he aims to do it again with artist Rob Carey in a certified sequel, Event Horizon: Inferno. Out on April 22nd (Preorders by March 16), the follow-up opens with a story that will please fans of Aliens, while taking the series further into the futurustic sci-fi so many of us love.
A cruel act. A wealthy CEO hungry for infinite riches. A diverse crew that has no idea what they’re getting into. These are just a few things you’ll pick up on when reading Event Horizon: Inferno. All together, they establish a first issue that feels more tuned for action than internalizing guilt as demons eat your face. That’s by design, leaning into action and mission setup, building momentum before the deeper horror begins to surface. Ward writes with confidence, expanding the mythology while keeping the existential terror that made Event Horizon unforgettable.
At its core, this is a snatch-and-grab story about finding the Event Horizon at all costs, leading to demonic retribution. Dark Descent had the tricky task of showing us how a crew of people escaping their lives for something more could fall prey to evils, with each harboring dark secrets, while Inferno feels like it’s preparing the characters for a meat grinder. In this way, one can see the likeness to Aliens, albeit darker and more twisted.
Judging by this variant cover by Eamon Winkle, there’s lots of shooting to be had in this series.
Credit: IDW
Ward continues to do a great job fleshing out characters, with handy captions that give readers their age, nationality, and the reason they are on such a dangerous mission. Carey delivers strong character design in each, giving them distinct vibes and making it easy to see them as the types who would risk it all to free themselves of debt. The story quickly establishes a crew whose desperation and debt make their dangerous mission believable, raising the tension over who might survive the encounter with the Event Horizon. Meanwhile, their boss, CEO Daniel Durante, gives off a self-entitled vibe, with a look that can give you a raise one moment and stab you in the front the next.
Carey’s art is a strong follow-up to Dark Descent, especially in the tech and spaceship department. The details in the armor the main cast wear, the spaceships, and the detailing in interiors are like screenshots straight out of a movie. While the early review copy I had was yet to be colored, it’s clear from Carey’s work that a dark tone is being struck, with a strong sense that something can be any shadow. There’s also some gnarly gore for the horror heads, and a striking cliffhanger to make you want more. Carey’s visuals feel cinematic in scale, capturing the cold machinery of space and the creeping sense that something terrible lurks just beyond the light.
This is a first issue that also feels like it’s taking chances, keeping longtime readers fed with new ideas. The cold open, for instance, is paid off later in the issue, while each character gets just enough page time to feel like they matter. Economically, the first issue offers a lot to get readers in gear and ready for demon-hunting action. Jumping ahead 200 years is also compelling, pushing the universe further. Ward shows a clear understanding of why the original concept still resonates, building a larger universe while keeping the dread of the Event Horizon intact.
Event Horizon: Inferno #1 is a thrilling return to a cult sci-fi horror universe that feels like it has an open road of nightmares to explore. Ward expands the mythology with confidence, Carey delivers striking visuals packed with dread, and the setup promises a mission destined to go horribly wrong. If the rest of the series maintains this momentum, Inferno could stand as the strongest chapter the franchise has ever seen.
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