Category Archives: John Arcudi

Review: DEAD INSIDE #1

DEAD INSIDE #1

DEAD INSIDE #1

DEAD INSIDE is a new crime noir comic book series, written by John Arcudi; art by Toni Fejzula; colors by Andre May; published by Dark Horse Comics. The main character is Linda, a deputy who has recently been promoted to detective. Linda is a hard case all to her own: does not play well with others, whether professionally or personally. Between the talents of Arcudi and Feizula, they have created a tough character, all sad and lonely, you know, dead inside. Funny thing about death, it comes in many colors. The first thing to really bring Linda to life in years is all about death: a really twisted murder-suicide committed by a most unlikely character.

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Detective Linda Caruso can’t let go of the fact that the murderer, so small and slight in stature, would have been able to bring down a bear of a man. This was supposedly an easy enough crime to solve as it took place inside a prison, a minimum security prison at that. This is the first case for Linda at the Jail Crimes Division of the Sheriff’s Office in Mariposa County. Nothing unusual is supposed to happen there. Except Linda now finds herself confronting a crime that becomes more bizarre the more she investigates.

Page from DEAD INSIDE #1

Page from DEAD INSIDE #1

This is a series that will have special appeal for fans of crime and prison television, such as Law & Order, NCIS, Orange Is the New Black, American Crime Story, or Making a Murderer. This is a new series from Rumble writer John Arcudi and Veil artist Toni Fejzula. DEAD INSIDE all adds up to a great study in character and a compelling murder mystery full of gritty style. This resonates with the reader. An intriguing case. And an intriguing detective. Who could ask for more?

Page from DEAD INSIDE #1

Page from DEAD INSIDE #1

DEAD INSIDE #1 is available as of December 21st. For more details, and how to purchase, visit Dark Horse Comics right here.

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Filed under Comics, Comics Reviews, Crime, Crime Fiction, Dark Horse Comics, John Arcudi, Noir

Review: Abe Sapien #5: ‘The New Race of Man (Part 2 of 2)’

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Having just read the graphic novel, “Sandcastle,” an eerie mystery taking place on a stretch of beach, I was intrigued to find a similar scene taking place in a Hellboy comic. This is Issue 5 of a new ongoing “Abe Sapien” and rounds up material for the next trade paperback. As tends to be the case with a solid Hellboy tale, this is a great stand alone read. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are the masters of deadpan delivery in an never-ending world of weird. You can jump off Hellboy and jump back on and the tenor of their tales does not skip a beat.

To carry on a bit with the comparison to “Sand Castle,” here you have two stories that are set in a world gone awry. Shall we call it, “Apocalyptic”? Yes, things have definitely gone to hell. From this devastation, emerges Abe Sapien and assorted survivors on a barren landscape. The beach is always a dramatic setting, very symbolic. Just seaweed, some seagulls, and a vast god-like ocean. In both stories, it’s the strange loner who gets blamed for a murder. And, in each story, there is a foreboding that overtakes everyone. Cool, huh? Yeah, and the art by Max Fiumara is a feast for the eyes, makes the moody atmospherics look easy.

Poor Abe has to do what he can to gain the trust of the locals but they’re pretty blasé about it since there’s far more to be concerned about. Sure, the fish man might be alright but that doesn’t mean everything is going to be alright.

After not checking in with Abe Sapien and the B.P.R.D. for awhile, it’s nice to see that things are as creepy as ever. It’s not be taken for granted and I’m glad to be back on board.

“Abe Sapien #5” is out August 7. “Abe Sapien #6” is out October 9 and the trade paperback collecting Issues 1 thru 5 comes out soon. Visit our friends at Dark Horse Comics.

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Filed under Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Hellboy, John Arcudi, Mike Mignola