Before We Sail by Carlos Yacolca
A Raw, Reflective Survival Story
I try to make a connection with every read. It’s not that I’ve lived through every scenario a creator puts on the page, but I try to listen to what my mind and gut tell me when I read something honest. That’s the magic of indie comics. Unlike the polished machinery of most mainstream books, indie creators often tap into something real. Something raw.
That was definitely the case when I opened Before We Sail, a post-apocalyptic survival comic written by Carlos Yacolca with art by Michelle Lino. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I was about to be hit with something emotionally heavy. And I was.
The Setup
Before We Sail is a seven-part serialized graphic novella that launched in Aces Weekly Volume 75 on July 7, 2025. It marks the comics writing debut of Carlos Yacolca, and it doesn’t hold back. The premise sounds familiar at first: pirates, zombies, societal collapse. But the heart of the story isn’t in the undead or the action. It’s in the survival. That’s the word that matters most.
Set in a crumbling version of Lima, the story follows Jonathan and Kath, two people trying to escape the chaos on land and reach the sea. They’re not just searching for safety. They’re trying to hold on to some sliver of meaning in a world that seems to have lost all of it.
Narrative Style and Emotional Core
What makes Before We Sail stand out isn’t just the setting or the high-stakes plot. It’s the way the story is told. Yacolca uses handwritten letters and journal entries to go deep into his characters’ emotional landscapes. You get dialogue and action, yes, but you also get internal monologues that carry the weight of grief, anxiety, and uncertainty.
The apocalypse outside mirrors the one within. There’s fear, despair, and moments when continuing to live feels like the hardest choice of all.
The Art That Grounds It
Michelle Lino’s return to comics after a six-year break adds something special to this project. Her art uses heavy ink and shadow to build a world that feels tense and unpredictable. Every panel has weight. Every expression feels real. The world is terrifying because it’s believable.
Final Thoughts
Before We Sail doesn’t try to reinvent the genre. Instead, it strips things down to the most essential questions. What does it mean to live when the future is gone? What does it mean to keep writing, caring, or hoping when nothing is guaranteed?
This debut leaves an impression. It’s a reminder that indie comics don’t just tell stories. They tell truths. They sit with you, make you reflect, and sometimes, remind you why you’re still holding on.