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Mar 10, 2025 Web Exclusive By John Paul Bullock

It’s all sex, death, and mind control in this promising new Image crime series by writer A. J. Liberman (Cowboy Ninja Viking, Term Life, Batman: Gotham Knights) and artist Mike Henderson (Nailbiter, The Forged, Cable: Love & Chrome). The Hive takes place in a world with a special subset of humans called “hivers” who have a biological power to compel others to obey their every command by influencing them to join a hivemind-like state. It follows Mason Shaw, who seems to be being drawn into a kind of gang that mirrors the hierarchy of bees, led by the mysterious “queen,” Shay. It’s a fresh concept, which Liberman uses to establish some very interesting characters and kick off an intriguing, multi-layered story. Henderson’s sharp, neo-noir framing and design choices help keep the heightened elements of the plot gritty and grounded. And the colors and lettering by Iñaki Azpiazu complete the package, giving The Hive a unique feel and tone.

The first issue quickly covers a lot of ground. It’s propelled forward by a bunch of nudity and violence but it’s never gratuitous. Readers will easily see how this new universe could be expanded by including other hives. The mind control powers here are a cool, low-tech device that, like the Jedi mind trick, can be played out in many different scenarios with varying results depending on the individual character’s submission to or resistance of it.

It’s also clear that this comic book series could be the basis for a pretty good movie. It’s essentially a new way to do a supernatural noir. And, provided the next few issues are as good as the initial one, I would not be surprised to hear that the rights have been optioned for development, if they haven’t been already. The Hive is smart and sexy and definitely off to a good start. (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/the-hive-1)

Author rating: 7.5/10