(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Jason Shawn Alexander & Patric Reynolds
Back when we chatted to Rodney Barnes, (Check out episode 117 in the podcast section of the website), he had mentioned that the world of Killadelphia was getting bigger. If this was the kind of quality he was talking about for tie-in series, then we are in for a treat.
We have always talked about the quality of Killadelphia on the podcast, and although a reading of that series is preferable (and highly recommended), you could jump into this series cold and still be absorbed into this world.
Whereas Killadelphia focuses on Vampires, Nita Hawes Nightmare Blog focuses on ghosts and demons. The titular character is Nita Hawes, a former lover of Jimmy Sangster and now a teacher in Baltimore (Rodney Barnes really does love The Wire…), and the most prominent spectre she sees is her little brother, Jason, who died tragically young. He appears to her to warn her of an impending supernatural invasion. Other story threads introduced include two detectives investigating gating a grisly murder, and a nurse at a rest home who fears one of her patients may be possessed.
This is everything a great first issue should be.
The writing by Barnes is tight and sharp, with enough time given to every individual story thread to make them matter and draw you in. The art by Alexander and Reynolds is both haunting and emotive, with some great creature design. And Luis NCT is on board as colourist, which is a great thing given the great work he does in Killadelphia.
For sure a title to watch, and an excellent companion piece to an already great main series.
