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Graphic Novel Review: Brooklyn Blood by Paul Levitz, art by Tim Hamilton

Brooklyn Blood by Paul Levitz, art by Tim Hamilton

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781506706306

Available:  Paperback, Kindle edition, and comiXology edition

 

Afghanistan vet Billy O’Connor returns to his hometown of Brooklyn to work as a detective. He tries returning to his routine, but his PTSD  haunts him. His hallucinations worsen over time and concern his partner, Hasan. When they begin investigating a strange homicide case, O’Connor experiences what he chalks up to as PTSD, but it turns out to be something more. The case turns into the hunt for a serial killer, one who is making human sacrifices to raise a demon from the depths.

Readers who enjoy a good Lovecraftian noir should pick this up. Brooklyn is gritty, and the cops and detectives fit perfectly in this environment. O’Connor tries to come to grips with his inner demons and disturbing hallucinations throughout the investigation, when he discovers there may be more to his experiences than he or his partner think. O’Connor also must confront his own racism. Seeing the horrors of war in Afghanistan, he has a skewed view of anyone “other”. Hasan thankfully doesn’t pull her punches when she confronts him about his words or actions. While there is nothing overtly gross or terrifying, young readers might find this disturbing. Teen readers may find this a great read.

This volume collects all sixteen chapters which were originally serialized in Dark Horse Presents Volume 3 #17-#22 and #24-#33!”

Contains: racism, some blood

Recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on January 19, 2019 by , Reply

Book Review: The Beauty: Volume 1 by Jeremy Haun and Jason Hurley, art by Jeremy Haun

The Beauty: Volume 1 by Jeremy Haun and Jason Hurley, art by Jeremy Haun

Image Comics, 2016

ISBN: 9781632155504

Available: print, Kindle & comixology ebook

 

The Beauty proposes a few questions. With society’s obsession with external outward beauty, what if there was a way to guarantee someone could become more attractive? What if the way to accomplish such beauty was through a sexually transmitted disease? In the world of Beauty, most of the population has taken advantage of the STD. Why not? After all, the only known side effects are increased hunger, a low-grade fever, and the benefit of being drop dead gorgeous. Detectives Vaughn and Foster discover the less than appealing side effect: the “drop dead” part is literal.  As the detectives start getting closer to solving the mystery, the danger to their lives increases. Certain parties attempt to launch a cover-up, but newly-infected Detective Foster isn’t having any of it. After a heavily publicized press conference announcement goes wrong, he’s got a shiny new target on his back.

The Beauty reads like a typical noir crime novel at times, but the story is compelling and unique. I thought there would be more of a focus on the people who voluntarily contract the disease rather than on the law enforcement angle, but it still made for a decent exploration of what happens when a disease that has been around for a few years starts exhibiting deadly consequences. I think it helps that the artwork is fantastic. This is not a story for children; violence, sex, and death are shown in detail, thanks to the magnificent art. Recommended.

Volume 1 collections issues #1-6.

Contains: blood, exploding bodies, body horror, nudity, violent content

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Posted on July 29, 2017 by , Reply

Book Review: 100 Bullets: Brother Lono by Brian Azzarello, illustrated by Eduardo Risso

100 Bullets: Brother Lono by Brian Azzarello, illustrated by Eduardo Risso

Publisher: DC/Vertigo, 2014

ISBN: 1401245064

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

Harsh. Violent. Brutal. Unforgiving. Azzarello returns to 100 Bullets, revisiting Lono, a ruthless killer, whom we discover has found God in a Mexican orphanage. Lono’s still got some bite however, so whenever he feels the old violent urges coming on, he has himself locked up by the local authorities. Trouble comes by way of a drug cartel that sets its eyes on the church’s undeveloped land. Unfortunately, this gives Brother Lono the go-ahead to let his demons out to play.

Azzarello is a master of street-level dialogue and kinetic pacing, while Risso’s art invokes elements of crime noir and a Sergio Leone western. and colorist Patricia Mulvihill’s palette sets the mood wonderfully, a perfect compliment to Risso’s exotic line work. Recommended for adulst

Contains: sexual content, profanity, and extensive visual graphic violence.

Reviewed by Bob Freeman

Posted on November 14, 2014 by , Reply
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