Book Review: Victorian Undead – Issue 1

VICTORIAN UNDEAD #1 (COMIC)
Writer: Ian Edginton
Artist: Davide Fabbri
Cover: Tony Moore
Publisher: Wildstorm
Publication Date: 2009
Format: Full Color – 24 pages
Price: $2.99

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. Those are the words of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the world’s first consulting detective, yet even he finds his skills tested to their limit as he and his erstwhile comrade Dr. John Watson are confronted with the most extraordinary case of their career – the dead are returning to life! Can a plague of Biblical proportions be far behind for Victorian London? And who – or what – is behind the resurrection of these ravenous revenants?“

Artwork: 4.0 out of 5
To me this is what was the highlight of this issue. I really enjoyed the style on the cover by Moore, and the interiors by Fabbri. Each panel was really well done. The characters were consistent from panel to panel. And of course who doesn’t like a good, scary looking zombie.

Story: 3.0 out of 5
So maybe it’s just me here, but I thought that the issue was kind of jumpy. It starts off with the nice event on how the zombies are “made” but doesn’t go into great detail. Then it jumps a few years ahead. A nice introduction to who Holmes and Watson are but I am not sure it was necessary. By that I mean just in terms of this issue. I would have liked more build up overall.

Dying Breath: 3.5 out of 5
Really great art and an okay story start off this new mini series. The story needed to pick itself up and leave out what I think could have been used on a quick recap/intro page. While I was not super impressed by what I read, I am still kind of intrigued to see where it might go. So be prepared for a review of issue #2.

If you would like to know more about or purchase a copy of Victorian Undead #1 please go to your local comic shop and grab a copy.