By Jacob Cordas — I have questions about Dark Blood #1, which, of course, is fairly normal for a first issue. Regardless of how straight-forward a first issue comic is, I can’t help but wonder where a series is going, what questions it will ask, what it’s going to try to say, etc.. But sitting here having finished Dark Blood #1, I just have so many questions, and, you know what, I am truly excited to see where it ends up going.

Part of it is the structure of the story. As written by Latoya Morgan, the comic bounces through time and space - almost equal parts set in the skies of WWII Germany and 1955 Alabama. This contrast creates an immediate tension in numerous ways; there’s the immediate disorientation of the narrative but more importantly is in the way it links the ugliness of war and bigotry. Every corner has a danger hiding behind it and you never know how a moment will turn, except towards the ugly.

The success of these ideas is only partially the writing. So much of the weight of the story is masterfully carried by Walt Barna’s art. He is able to make sure each moment organically pivots into the next regardless of the decade we happen to be in on any page. Most notable though is his ability to create dynamic facial expressions. Our hero is so often afraid (and rightly so) over the course of this book but the nuance of this fear always comes through. You know the weight of a moment to this man, you know the life behind the scream, and you know how much he needs to survive.

There are really only two issues I have with this book, and they are relatively small ones. Most notably is how little the first issue explains. I love the confidence in the mystery, and I love how well-told the pieces are. I definitely want to find out more about what’s happening, but there is little to grab onto narratively. This comic is so well-crafted in every other facet, that the lack of real story beats so far becomes just a little bit disappointing.

On a smaller note, the coloring by A.H.G. can end up clashing against Barna’s art and fighting the fluidity of the story. For the first half or so of the comic, it works great. Colors create a shared universe but suddenly the flow seems lost. Jumps become a bit awkward and forced. It’s a minor slip up but, once again, when you have so much working well, every mistake becomes glaring.

At the end of the day though, Dark Blood #1 is a solid start to what I suspect will turn into an amazing miniseries. It’s gonna be well worth any early slip-ups to get to the fascinating story that is about to unfold.

Overall: Dark Blood #1 has a few hiccups but is a promising start to an engaging and deeply political new miniseries. 7.8/10

REVIEW: Dark Blood #1

Dark Blood #1
Writer: Latoya Morgan
Artist: Walt Barna
Colorist: A.H.G.
Letterer: Andworld Design
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Price: $3.99
What if you were given the power to change the course of history?
Alabama, 1955. Avery Aldridge is an ordinary young Black man. A decorated World War II veteran, Avery provides for his wife and daughter.
But wounds of the past have a way of coming back, and Avery Aldridge will soon discover he is anything but ordinary...
After a run-in awakens strange new abilities, Avery's about to become more powerful than he could have ever dared to dream... in a country and society that never wanted him to have any power.
A bold, evocative genre-bending saga by screenwriter LaToya Morgan (AMC's The Walking Dead, Into The Badlands) and rising star artist Walt Barna (The Osiris Path) perfect for fans of Department of Truth and Bitter Root!
More Info: Dark Blood #1