The Cryptid Corps #5 — Max Bertolini’s Art Turns a Crash Landing Into Pure Tension

A emergency landing, a fragile moment of connection, and a threat closing in from the shadows. The Cryptid Corps is peaking, and Max Bertolini’s visuals make every second of it feel vital.

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when a comic lands exactly where you need it to. This week, The Cryptid Corps arrives with that kind of gravity. It’s the fifth issue of the six-part run from Massive Publishing, and it feels like the series is tightening its screws, moving from the setup phase into the heart of the conflict. If you haven’t joined the Corps yet, this is the spot where the mystery deepens and the stakes become personal.

The story picks up right after an emergency crash landing, leaving the team isolated and vulnerable. We get a brief, quiet moment where the characters find unexpected connection with each other, a chance to breathe before the world outside starts to close in. That peace is short-lived, however, as Cold’s forces begin to converge on their position. The tension isn’t just about survival anymore; it’s about what happens when your safe space is breached.

Max Bertolini is the real secret weapon here. His artwork on this issue does heavy lifting, capturing the claustrophobia of the crash site and the looming dread of the approaching enemy with incredible clarity. You can feel the cold in his panels, and the way he frames the characters during that fleeting moment of camaraderie makes the impending threat feel even more visceral. Anthony Cleveland’s writing gives the characters room to breathe, letting the visuals do the talking when it matters most.

The Cryptid Corps has been a consistent pleasure to follow, and this issue feels like the calm before the storm. It’s a great place to jump in if you’ve been on the fence, or a vital continuation if you’ve been riding along. The dynamic between the team and the outside pressure is rendered with such care that you can’t help but lean in.

I’m keeping an eye on the variant covers for this one, too. Max Bertolini handles the main cover, and his style is distinctive enough that it’ll stand out on the shelf. These issues move quickly, so if you’re thinking about grabbing a copy, now is the time. You can find it waiting for you on the product page.