Underpinnings
Creative Team
writer: DINO CARUSO
illustrators: CECILIA LATELLA, JOSEPH VELASQUEZ, LUCAS BENEDINE, ANDRÉ BELLUSCI
gray tones: PAUL LITTLE
cover and lettering: SHAWN DALEY
publisher: INSERVICE COMICS
Underpinnings, written by Dino Caruso is a grounded and heartfelt slice-of-life comic. The story focuses on navigating adulthood, transitions and the uncomfortable process of figuring life out on the go when life hits you with questions like “What the hell am i supposed to do now?” The idea of transitions expands past the narrative even applying to the art, as a different artist is responsible for illustrating each chapter.
The comic opens with a striking visual of recent college graduate Drummond hanging up his social work degree and pondering his next steps in life. This page instantly sets the tone for the rest of the story creating a relatable moment that quietly captures the uncertainty that often comes with major accomplishments and life transitions. All Caruso and Cecilia Latella; illustrator of Chapter 1, needed was a man, a diploma and a question to showcase the ambiguity that comes with having more questions than answers.
The story is character driven, focusing more on human interaction and emotional growth rather than hard hitting action. Caruso does an amazing job at crafting unique characters that are complex, immediately likable and easy to root for which makes some of the emotional moments hit hard while still retaining that grounded feel to the story.
The grounded approach is what makes this story feel genuine. Rather than presenting adulthood as a final destination you arrive at the story showcases it as an ongoing process of trial and error coupled with self discovery.
The opening pages are intentionally light on dialogue, with important details embedded within the backgrounds, forcing the reader to slow down and really absorb the storytelling through the art thus creating an atmosphere for how the rest of the story should be experienced. Right away Underpinnings presents itself as an introspective story that rewards the reader’s patience and observation.
Underpinnings does face one notable challenge as a result of its unique decision to feature a different illustrator each chapter and that's maintaining a consistent style of visual storytelling throughout the story. Each chapter is a stark black and white with each artist bringing their own unique skills and interpretation to their portion of the story.
In Chapter 2, illustrator Joseph Velasquez excels in shading and uses that skill to set the tone and truly capture character emotions. With this being a character driven story some illustrators were able to capture those more heartfelt moments whereas others struggled to really capture character expressions on some of the more emotional beats.
Each artist does however have their particular strong suits with some creating beautiful expressive line work where others excel in perspective. The lack of consistency across the art work can also make it difficult for characters' appearances to leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Caruso isn't rushing you to a finish line, he's letting you experience this story much like the way you experience life, step by step, piece by piece. That sense of patience is what allows this story to resonate so strongly.
Whether it's entering adulthood, starting a new career, learning the proper ways to support those around you or even figuring out who you are once the structure that you've relied on disappears, Underpinnings understands that adulthood is an ever constant process of adapting and learning. Not learning in the sense of textbooks and a college education but the type of learning that only comes with experience.