Katabasis #1: A Mercenary’s Journey into the Underworld

Damien Becton and Rodrigo Rocha team up to deliver an intriguing first chapter in Katabasis #1, published by BlackBox Comics. This story introduces Juniper, a once-deadly mercenary who’s been given supernatural abilities and a second chance—if she can prove herself worthy. Her mission? To rescue a soul trapped in the Underworld and maybe, just maybe, earn her way into Heaven. The catch? Demons can’t step into Heaven, angels can’t enter Hell, but Juniper’s unique upgrades let her defy the rules.

This issue does a great job setting the stage. We get a solid intro to Juniper, her abilities, and the stakes of her mission. While the story doesn’t give away too much about her backstory, that restraint actually works in its favor, leaving a lot of space for character growth in future issues.

The art by Rodrigo Rocha really stands out. Juniper’s design is sharp and distinctive, and the environments feel immersive. The action sequences pop, and even in the slower moments, there’s something engaging about the way it’s drawn.

There’s a nice balance of high-energy action and quieter scenes that build the world and relationships, though a couple of parts felt like they dragged just a bit. That said, the story stays interesting enough to keep you hooked, and by the end, you’ll probably be curious to see what happens next.

If you’re into stories that mix supernatural lore, high-stakes missions, and a badass lead character, Katabasis #1 is definitely worth picking up.