Comic Book Journal

Devil’s Due publishing has successfully proved they are more than just a one-trick pony. By branching out to other genres and different types of storytelling platforms they have proven they have what it takes to be successful on the comic book front, not just with GI Joe either. Other than Image and Dynamite Entertainment, I feel they have produced the best quality of work, outside of Marvel and DC. As far as independent publishers go, they are among the best. So what has made Devil’s Due successful? Talent. They consistently attract high-profile talent and that leads to a high quality of product made. Spooks #1 is no exception.

With a script by acclaimed fantasy novelist R.A. Salavatore and long-time comic book scribe, Larry Hama (who also draws a pretty picture or two himself), this series has large market success all over it.

The storyline of Spooks is fairly simple. It’s werewolves, vampires, and monsters versus the rest of the world in a battle for complete domination. Throw in some powerful magic, and an undead war general in charge, and you have a pretty good fight. The government has assembled a highly trained team of officers to protect and defend against supernatural enemies, and possible terrorists. In the first issue the spooks members see what they are up against with seven foot werewolves and then Frankenstein’s monster joins in at the end of the issue. I think this series could be really entertaining, but would like to see more development from the members of the task force. Right now, they just seem to be cardboard cut outs of characters.

I look forward to the series, but this issue was just not enough of a taste to keep me involved. In my opinion no one will ever write the story of humanity versus supernatural forces better than Mike Mignola. To see why he writes the ultimate end of the world story see my post at http://www.comicbookjournal.net/why-i-like-mike-mignola/

Now about the art. Adam Archer has made me believe werewolves exist they were literally jumping off the page. This is dynamic action, nicely rendered beings, brilliant backgrounds. And what I like most about Archer’s artwork is it flowed. It is clear that this issue was storyboarded and planned out before he drew even the first panel. Careful planning plus attention to detail equal outstanding artwork.

On a scale of one to ten I’d have to give this book a solid seven out of ten. While it’s a great starting point for a new series, that’s all it does is give a sample of what could be greatness. I’d have to have more of a sense of direction as to where the story will be taken before I could give it a ten. Sorry Devil’s I’ll give you your Due, but I’d just recommend this story to a casual reader who is looking for some fluff reading on the bus.