Project Riese #1

Project Riese #1 serves as the inaugural entry into a series exploring the enigmatic Nazi-era construction project in the Owl Mountains of Poland. The publication emerged within the niche genre of historical investigative comics and graphic essays, aiming to document the remains of the seven subterranean complexes built between 1943 and 1945. It was created to translate dense archaeological surveys and local historical lore into a more accessible visual medium for enthusiasts of wartime engineering mysteries.

The design of the issue prioritizes a grounded, research-heavy aesthetic, utilizing architectural sketches and period-accurate topography to ground its speculative narrative. By focusing on the structural remnants and the ongoing debates regarding the intended purpose of the tunnels—ranging from command centers to secret weapon research labs—the work attempts to balance historical accuracy with the atmospheric tension characteristic of industrial history documentation. It has been primarily received by academic hobbyists and those interested in the preservation of WWII infrastructure.