The End of the Apocalypse is Near

The fifteenth volume of Carthago is the penultimate installment. It explores the transformations of the planet through the fate of a man trapped in a cave and a young girl in a palace.

A Journey Back to the Future

Carthago, written by Christophe Bec, takes readers on a journey through various stories in a collapsing world. In 2027, a nuclear apocalypse devastates civilization. Meanwhile, during an underwater drilling operation, divers are attacked by a megalodon, a prehistoric ancestor of the shark. Other dinosaurs emerge, disrupting humanity.

The volume titled Into the Heart of Darkness features two parallel stories set in contrasting environments. In the far north, childhood friends Donovan and Tuak witness the detonation of a nuclear mushroom cloud. To escape the blast and radiation, they retreat deep into a cave, which ultimately collapses, trapping them inside. Their isolation shields them from radiation, but survival demands difficult sacrifices.

Simultaneously, in a wealthy estate, an old man converses with a young girl, Lou. He has spent his life seeking and capturing rare creatures. Using his wealth, he constructs a shelter to withstand nuclear attacks and extend his existence. The connection between these two stories becomes clear only at the end of the volume.

These narratives contrast the themes of nature versus humanity. While humanity resorts to desperate measures for survival, animals choose to perish rather than kill. The old man's obsession with collecting animals highlights his disregard for their suffering. Flashbacks provide context for the bond between the two men in the cave. Tuak, a member of an indigenous American community, mentors a young white boy passionate about sled racing, reminiscent of Jack London’s novels.

Two Turns Before the End

The series, published by The Humanoids, has sold over 500,000 copies. This fifteenth volume marks the beginning of the end for Carthago. Christophe Bec orchestrates the final chapters of this saga, focusing more on the world-building than individual heroes or heroines. The universe of Carthago captivates readers with a blend of realism and surrealism. Technical terms illuminate concepts like doomsday and nuclear war, while settings like an underwater villa with a shark-viewing window add an imaginative touch.

Throughout the series, the narrative evolves from prehistoric creatures to nuclear disasters. This volume reveals that war is not the cause but rather a consequence of the apocalypse. The true catastrophe lies in climate change, with one page depicting its widespread effects on coastlines, populations, and politics, echoing contemporary fears.

This new installment also incorporates a fantastical element. A character born in Transylvania, like Dracula, recalls meeting a witch and encountering a zmeu, a creature from ancient legends.

Despite the approaching conclusion, writer Christophe Bec collaborates with a new artist, Italian illustrator Ennio Bufi. His realistic and classic style ensures clarity in action scenes while emphasizing grandeur with small figures in expansive landscapes. The detailed inking and colorization by Andrea Meloni further enhance the realism.

This new chapter in the Carthago universe is an excellent addition to the series. It introduces new territories and characters, with the final pages revealing an alien race—surprisingly hinted at on the cover.