Comics
Review: ‘Black Beetle’ #0
Best known for his art on Scott Snyder’s “Detective Comics” last year, Francisco Francavilla latest work comes on the newly released Black Beetle #0. Francavilla also takes up writing duties on this issue, and although he handles the story admirably, it still pales in comparison to his art. This is an atmospheric, well-drawn book with an interesting premise, but so far there’s does not offer much in the way of story or characters.
WRITTEN BY: Francisco Francavilla
ART BY: Francisco Francavilla
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 19th, 2012
There’s a lot to like about this comic, and the easiest place to start is the visuals. They’re not realistic or intensely detailed, but they communicate the atmosphere of the scenes perfectly. There’s something about Francavilla’s simplistic approach to detail that evokes a sense of nostalgia, which is useful for a pulp story set as World War II rages across the Atlantic Ocean. His liberal use of shadows and tinted lighting also contributes to the sense of claustrophobia we feel as we see the Beetle and his companion evade their Nazi pursuers (yes, of course they’re Nazis, because why the fuck not?) through the hallways and showrooms of a museum.
But despite the attention to detail in his artwork, there isn’t a terrible amount of detail to his story. A bunch of Nazi special forces come to a museum to steal a lizard amulet said to contain vast power, and the Beetle tries to stop them. That’s cool and all, but when the majority of the dialogue in your story concerns the tablet in question and not the characters themselves, it’s not very compelling. Moreover, for an issue titled a “mystery novelette”, there isn’t a terrible amount of mystery here. The end presents some questions – Why does the Beetle want the lizard? Who is the man in the black cape? – but none are answered. This issue doesn’t establish any meaningful “mystery” until the end.
This is a fun book to read. It’s got a strong aesthetic narrative to it. This isn’t a deep comic, or a well-fleshed out one, but it’s a solid piece of entertainment. And, obviously, a well-drawn one. So if you’re looking for a comic with excellent art, good action sequences, and Nazis, this is worth a look.
3/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GeorgeShunick
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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