‘Dead Space: Salvage’ Graphic Novel Review
Written by Antony Johnston | Art by Christopher Shy | Published by Titan Comics
Dead Space: Salvage, written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by Christopher Shy, is a grim, atmospheric addition to the Dead Space universe that perfectly captures the terror and existential dread at the heart of the original video game series. Set between the events of the first Dead Space game and Dead Space: Extraction, Dead Space: Salvage follows a group of opportunistic scavengers known as the “Magpies” as they stumble upon the derelict starship USG Ishimura. What initially seems like the find of a lifetime quickly spirals into a nightmarish encounter with the Necromorph threat that decimated the ship’s original crew.
Johnston’s story stays true to the bleakness and despair that fans of Dead Space expect. The narrative doesn’t simply rehash the events of the game, but rather explores the broader consequences of the Marker’s corruption and the fates of those desperate enough to chase after cursed riches. The characters, while not as deeply developed as one might hope, serve the story’s larger purpose: highlighting human greed and hubris against the backdrop of cosmic horror. Johnston deftly maintains the claustrophobic tension that is a hallmark of Dead Space, allowing moments of quiet unease to build into full-blown terror as the Magpies are picked off one by one.
Christopher Shy’s artwork is perhaps the standout feature of Dead Space: Salvage. His painterly, ethereal style blurs the line between reality and nightmare, creating an overwhelming sense of dread and unreality that fits the Dead Space franchise like a glove. The Ishimura, already an iconic setting from the games, becomes even more terrifying under Shy’s brush, appearing less as a derelict ship and more as a haunted, living tomb. Figures are often indistinct, bathed in shadows or distorted through strange lighting, reinforcing the story’s themes of isolation and confusion. While this style is hauntingly effective in evoking mood, it occasionally sacrifices clarity in the action scenes, making some panels hard to decipher at a glance.
As a bridge between installments of the game series, Dead Space: Salvage is both faithful and enriching. Fans will recognize familiar lore, like the presence of the Church of Unitology and the Marker’s psychological influence, and the book expands on these elements without feeling like mere fan service. However, readers unfamiliar with Dead Space may find themselves a bit adrift, as the story assumes some prior knowledge of the universe’s rules and history.
Ultimately, Dead Space: Salvage is a compelling graphic novel for fans of the series who crave more of its unique blend of science fiction and horror. Its story is taut and grim, the art stunningly evocative, and its ties to the greater Dead Space mythos make it a worthy entry in the franchise. While it is not a perfect standalone story, it succeeds admirably in delivering the chilling atmosphere and existential horror that have become Dead Space’s signature.
**** 4/5
Dead Space: Salvage will be released on June 10th, courtesy of Titan Comics.
