Last Week’s Comics 5/25/2011

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Last Mortal #1

(Image – writers: John Mahoney & Filip Sablik; art: Thomas Nachlik)

I was taken with Last Mortal from the first page. We’re given an establishing shot of a shipping port full of box containers. As the panels move in on these, we’re given these words: “My name is Alec King. I just killed my best friend.”

The tone of the rest of the issue is similar. There are subplots of drug addiction, gambling, and lost redemption. Really, all of this is filler for the final page of the issue (which you kind of see coming from the cover) but it’s good filler. Alec King is a believable character. He’s flawed, but not to the extent that readers will keep him at a distance. He’s desperate, and hiding a secret about his younger years, but one which he shares with his best friend, Brian.

[pullquote]I was taken with Last Mortal from the first page.[/pullquote]

Both men are hired to assassinate a politician, but things don’t go as planned. This leaves Alec with only one option, but one he can’t complete. Why? Not sure yet. But finding out will be a lot of fun.

Additionally, Thomas Nachlik’s black and white art makes the piece very noir-like, and adds to the feel of the story, one of darkness, depression, and hopelessness. It’s not a happy read (like Spider-Man), but its got a lot to offer, both in the visuals and the plot. Some of the panels are splotched and dirty, like Nachlik started flicking ink at the paper. It adds to the grittiness of the story, and makes Last Mortal the engaging read that it is.

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Drums #1

(Image – writer: El Torres; art: Abe Hernando & Kwaichang Kraneo)

Tone seems to be the word of the week as Drums is chock full of it! I picked up Drums because of the cover art. It’s depiction of a woman kneeling next to skulls, lit candles, and bowl of blood (recently extracted from a chicken). I didn’t know what I was going to get, however, when I cracked this open.

The story is about Martin Irons, an FBI agent sent to investigate the deaths of a group of Latinos who look as if they all died suddenly, and while practicing some sort of voodoo ritual. It’s up to Irons to figure out why. While this investigation is occurring, an impressive storm builds and erupts over the people giving the story desperation and urgency. There seems to be a need solve this case. It reminded me of the storm build up in Jurassic Park. When that lightning first cracks, viewers know the shits going to hit the fan. I felt the same way about Drums.

The story has hints of Zombie-ism, and plays on the stereotypes set by Miss Cleo (when she used to have that 800 number for psychic readings). But readers, and horror fans especially, can look past this at what the story has to offer.

Everything about this story feels unsettled, and unsafe (and if you read the comic you’ll know why). El Torres does a fantastic job of setting the mood, utilizing both natural occurrences (like the storm), and supernatural effects involving blood, gore, and danger, illustrated specifically by a woman who looks into Martin’s future — and then kicks him out of her house without an explanation.

I love horror stories, and especially ones that give an overall feeling of insecurity (think John Carpenter’s Halloween). Drums spooked me. And I hope it spooks you as well.

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