REVIEW: ‘Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1′ is beautifully creepy
To sum it all up..
If there is one thing I can say about Lan Medina, it’s FLAWLESS. He may be old school but his illustrations are still behold to mesmerize, even implicitly telling us that he is the true definition/paradigm of an excellent red wine in the comics industry: he’s really just getting better and better with age. His […]
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Posted
October 9, 2016 by Paul Ramos
FULL REVIEW
If there is one thing I can say about Lan Medina, it’s FLAWLESS. He may be old school but his illustrations are still behold to mesmerize, even implicitly telling us that he is the true definition/paradigm of an excellent red wine in the comics industry: he’s really just getting better and better with age. His latest foray, DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #1 with Sarah Vaughn and Jose Villarubia as writer and colorist, respectively, is the only proof needed on how excellent our doyen right here and right now.
This premier issue is treated in prestige format: glossy paper, sturdy cover and a solid forty-eight page of visual narrative. Stephanie Hans does a gorgeous watercolor-inspired cover art that encapsulates the thrilling and suspenseful treat readers should expect inside. This book divides into two chapters, in linear literary fashion. The first half focuses on the introduction of the characters, particularly Korean-American Berenice, whose sweetheart/author lives in a “dark mansion” and even possesses a special ability to sense and/or see the “supernatural”, Deadman included. The last one sets up the unlikely alliance between Berenice and Deadman to unearth something sinister that they already sensed/encountered in the beginning. Good thing is, no interruptions whatsoever, just solid storytelling and the incredible artistic fusion of Lan Medina and Jose Villarubia.
The narrative is primarily focused on the lady’s perspective, although Deadman is the supposed focus of this three-part horror-suspense mini-series. Supporting characters, including a century or so old “ghost”, provide adequate moments to present their distinctive characterizations, though more remain to be seen or fleshed out perhaps in the succeeding chapters. Action scenes are obviously minimal, concentrating more on the elements of dreadful atmospheric surroundings and well-placed suspense scenes/moments to maintain a sense of surprise from start to a cliffhanging issue finale. And, the claustrophobic feel adds more to the already suspenseful plot, making this one appropriate for the upcoming Halloween/”Undas” festivities.
As mentioned above, Medina’s art completely dominates here. His illustrations are meticulous, intricately detailed, almost pristine, impeccably drawn, and classically proportioned. His “dark mansion” interiors are painstakingly drawn almost to the minute details. The facial portrayals are truly life-like without the usual exaggerations for shock value’s sake. His sequential paneling is unquestionably accessible and almost natural, as if art imitates real life. And most importantly, his character designs/portrayals are virtually humanistic to view, even the “ghosts” involved. His female illustrations are some of the finest drawings ever since his FABLES illustrious runs (his Garth Ennis-Punisher MAX, Rick Remender-Venom, District X, and Aria runs are some of his artistic hallmarks in the visual medium), and they are totally feminine in aesthetics and distinctively LAN MEDINA’s! Villarrubia’s colors are nigh-perfect to Lan’s already superb pencils, only enhancing tenfold to the highly suspenseful charged story, justifying the atmospheric feel this mini-series would deliver. And, I hope Jose stays on as Lan’s colorist for they are a match-made-in-heaven.
If there is one thing I can nitpick, it is the non-existence of the “first” chapter label/indicator and its title for the second chapter appears in the midsection, making me double-checked if the first part is mentioned, but alas, none at all. Regardless, Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1 starts off brilliantly as a suspense-thrilling mini-series, building up the tensions appropriately for the quasi-superhero’s reputation, although a female protagonist (and even the house itself) would be the center in the narrative. And for obvious reasons, Lan Medina’s interiors are the justifications why this mini-series would be a blast in the horror-suspense genre. His illustrations are anything but. As long as he does his thing on his own terms, this one is the must have for comic book lovers.
