I am usually a fan of graphic novels, but not this one. It was slow, flat, and seemed to be checking off stereotypes as it went to make sure they hit as many as possible. The artwork was good, but dark to read on a computer screen (I am sure a print copy would be much better). Overall, there was nothing that kept me wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

When Aftershock launched, their writers were an impressive slate, either big names already (Garth Ennis) or clearly up-and-coming talents (Marguerite Bennett, Donny Cates). But lately they seem to have a few too many titles by people you vaguely recognise as having done an Image book once, but not one you particularly remember. Let's tick off the clichés: there's an ancient city under New York! The team investigating it fall prey to something spooky! The team lead's kids get wind that something is up, and decide to investigate! The evil corporation for which their dad was working is evil, and evils evilly at them (until we need a set-up for a sequel, when they turn out to be basically fine)! Around the kids forms a plucky gang of their peers who get dragged along for the ride! The gang are painstakingly diverse without being remotely interesting (seriously, The Vapid Millennial Who Is On Their 'Phone The Whole Time doesn't become three-dimensional just because you put her in a headscarf). Nope, sorry, I've run out of energy even to feign enthusiasm. To be fair, there are some group dynamics here which I can imagine being reasonably compelling if this ever gets a screen adaptation, but here the dialogue is all tell and no show. And the art is...the idea is clearly to do an action comic, hence details like the lead losing her grip on the absolutely crucial map for no reason except so it can be split-second rescued from an oncoming train. But more than once I couldn't quite work out, even on a second reading, what exactly was meant to be occurring in a given action scene. The idea is clearly to do a YA take on Lara Croft, Indiana Jones et al, but Lost City Explorers is not remotely in their league. Mainly, its attempt at an occult archaeology of Manhattan reminded me how much better this idea was handled by an episode of the Ghostbusters cartoon.

On the plus side, this is one of the very few comics I've read where someone wore checked clothing which looked vaguely naturalistic, so there's that.

(Netgalley ARC)

I loved this, I cant wait to read the next volume. The illustrations were great. Characters intriguing.

Lost cities aren't just the stuff of myths and legends. They exist hidden under our noses.
The Lost City Explorers begins when an expedition goes wrong and supernatural beings appear and an expedition professor goes missing. Once his teenage daughter hears he might still be alive, she makes it her mission to find out the truth. With her teenage friends and brother, they go an adventure to follow his tracks to know what had happened.
I enjoyed the story of this volume and found it to be quite interesting. Although there are plenty of stories regarding Atlantic, I found this to be something that was different.
I think that this was a good beginning to the comic series and can see the story and characters developing well throughout it.
*I recieved an arc of this from Netgalley and the publishers. Thank you for allowing me to read it*

This is a fun enough little adventure / 'discovering a lost civilization' story. I do think the Atlantis thing is a BIT overdone at this point, but I thought the characters were interesting and it did put a bit of a new twist on it. Also the art is very good and I feel like the color palette sets the mood very well so it was nice to look at. My main problem was with the ending so ...

THE REST OF THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

I just did not at all buy them joining the basically evil corporation at the end of the volume. I mean ...okay fine you just had a cool adventure and are obviously drifting aimlessly in life so I guess you want some 'excitement' but ...this company literally was ready to leave your father for dead and also has a team of actual assassins that they were ready to sic on you like a DAY ago and you are like 'oh hello new best friends'? I guess it could be some kind of ploy but honestly it doesn't seem that deep, and also I'm not sure if this is supposed to be the end or if it will continue later.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and artist(s), and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is my kind of thing, and what initially drew me in. I was hoping for an "Unearthed" (Kaufman/Spooner) type of tale, but I did not get that. While this graphic novel is not 100% what I expected, it was still rather intriguing.

Hel and her brother get news that their father died in an "accident" from some man from a lab company. Turns out, the company seeks the lost city of Atlantis. When there is a hint of possibility that her dad might still be alive, Hel is determined to find out whatever she can from this strange company and find Atlantis through leads that present themselves after her father's disappearance and the theft of his ever-valuable computer, his life's work on Atlantic contained therein.

At the introduction of Atlantis, I was instantly more interested in the graphic novel. I wish there was more actual exploration of the ancient city itself. I feel like this was a good set-up and that further volumes will take the next step in exploration adventure, which was set up rather nicely with the end of this graphic novel as well. Also, great art.

Another aspect I found enjoyable about this graphic novel were the journal entries at the end, with a bit more of a historical factual feel to them as they relate to Plato (the ancient man known for many things, inclusing his theories on Atlantis) and the possible locations of lost cities. It added an extra layer to the world and the mythos involved in the story, as well as hinted at well-known theories that I was already aware of that I am likewise interested in.

Overall, a fun adventure comic with a lot of promise for future installments.

When Hel and Homer's father goes missing in a tragic lab accident, they have to decide if they're going to accept the offical story or find out for themselves what happened. What occurs will change their opinion on what actually can exist in this seemingly normal world of theirs.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to graphic novels and if I don't like the art, I won't stick around for the story. (Am I losing out on some great stories, I'm sure! Am I going to change my opinion? Eh, not likely.) I really enjoyed the artwork in this story! Realistic enough to match the serious feel of the story, but still rounded out, made a little less harsh, which blended well with the more 'fun' elements of the story. Also, New York is a diverse city, and I was pleased to see that reflected in our cast of characters.

I love stories that blend science fiction and mythology, if it's just searching for a lost city, or if you bring in all the old gods, no matter where on the scale the story is, I'll love it. I will read any hunt for Atlantis tale I can find, and this one was well worth it! I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more adventures from the Lost City Explorers! I'm very curious if the adventures will continue to revolve around Atlantis or if the teens will stumble across other lost civilizations in their future adventures.

If you like any of the Stargate shows or Stranger Things, then you'll probably really enjoy this!

'The Lost City Explorers, Vol. 1' by Zack Kaplan with art by Alvaro Sarraseca seemed like an interesting premise when I read about it.

The prelude of the story follows an expedition as they uncover something strange and mysterious. One of the explorers gets taken and is presumed lost. We learn that he was the father of our main character and her brother. The company he worked for wants them to sign liability and collect lots of money, but Hel Coates begins to doubt her father is really dead. She assembles a ragtag bunch of friends to find out what really happened.

There are things I found a bit unbelievable about this story. I can usually shake those kinds of things off, but here, they nagged at me. It's pretty mediocre at best at this point in story and art, but it could improve. There are some interesting character interactions going on.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Aftershock Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

The Lost City Explorers introduces us to a mystery as old as time, led by a group of kids who find themselves face-to-face with an unbelievable foe. It’s action-adventure meets fantasy with a few hints of sci-fi.

The story itself is interesting because it’s from the perspective of a soon-to-graduate teenager. She’s forced to deal with very adult situations as her life comes crashing down around her. Already filled with angst about the future, she acts as though she has nothing to lose as she tries to uncover the truth about her father. It’s mostly a race to discover the lost city and we vaguely get to know the other characters along the way. There’s a powerful scene where they all reveal they’re essentially outcasts on the fringe of their respective peer groups. I do wish there had been more time spent with the Lost City, though it feels like we’ll return to it in future volumes. As a whole, this first volume feels like an introduction piece to a greater story that is yet to come.

The artwork follows a typical comic book style, with impressive full panels and a mastery of water-based details. The panel variety makes for an easy-to-read experience.

Overall, I enjoyed The Lost City Explorers and hope to get further into the mysteries it scratched the surface of. It’s a solid introduction to a bigger story I’d very much like to explore.