William Vitka’s brand of horror in Emergence lies in that eerie all too real realm of possibilities. It’s an often under or mis-represented kind that plays on ancient theories and deep rooted fears- the kind that makes an uncomfortable amount of sense if you put the pieces together. He doesn’t just rely on his imagination to craft fresh new hells to drop his reader into, but skillfully builds around the work of scientists and cult famed authors alike luring you into a story still somehow all his own. And boy, does he pull it off with style. Emergence is about soldiering on in the face of evolution. It tells the tale of long forgotten genomes, the ever expanding shock waves of creation, and the slumbering horrors that lurk in our ocean’s depths. Emergence also showcases some satisfyingly sickening gore and some sly jokes that would elicit pride in even Ash Williams himself.

When a monstrous threat presents itself, a once dormant mutated gene roars to life giving our three young heroes superbly heightened powers. The Gunslinger, The Grace, and The Engine, as Vitka coins them, rush to understand their enhanced capabilities and fight a corrupted age-old race intent on reclaiming their planet. The children come to face this reality with a cold calculating demeanor that unsettles the adults while fighting to retain their wonderfully human qualities in the midst of tragedy. Vika’s portrayal of the children may seem too adult for some but I believe it is an honest testament to a young mind’s ability to adapt. Adaptation, after all, seems to be the key to this story.

While you’re diving into Emergence don’t forget about our real life sunken horrors suspiciously found at Lovecraft’s coordinates for R’yleh. (Or it could be an ice shelf breaking in Antarctica if you want to be that way about it.)