DRUID

DRUID 

Written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Leonardo Manco. Published by Marvel Comics.

Druid, published in 1995, was a truly nasty piece of work from Warren Ellis' early career as he took a second-rate Doctor Strange-like character called Doctor Druid, and gave him a Vertigo-ish treatment.

There's truly nothing redeeming about this character's interpretation here and one can only feel sorry for the supporting cast, who have basically ventured into a Lion's den. It's a morbidly fascinating comic book work.

Artist Leonardo Manco's somber, scratchy art is well-suited for this dark tale, making this a truly hellish, uncomfortable reading experience.

Originally pitched as an ongoing series, the book had to end abruptly with it's fourth issue. No trade collection has been published so hunting for back issues through online comics retailers and conventions are your best bet of getting your hands on this oddity.

BRIAN K. VAUGHAN - THE PRIVATE EYE

BRIAN K. VAUGHAN - THE PRIVATE EYE

Written by Brian K. Vaughan, drawn by Marcos Martin and colored by Muntsa Vicente

Brian K. Vaughan has proven to be one of the most respected comic book writers of the last decades, while not the most prolific (working in the more lucrative TV series arena has taken time away from his comics work), every time he does a project it becomes an event. 

A tale set in the future, where the internet cloud bubble burst and everyone's secrets spilled out for everyone to see. In this future privacy is the way of life. Almost everyone wears a disguise (sometimes, several). Activities are conducted in total anonymity and the population's home life is sacred.

When a private detective is approached by a woman to investigate her sister's murder, he discover a plot that will threaten society as it is now.

While not one of Vaughan's best works, The Private Eye is a clever, and original premise, that delivers plenty of thrills, patented BKV twists and an exciting ending.

Kudos to artist Marcos Martin for really going to bat with his imaginative costume designs that truly bring the reader into this world. Imaginative layouts, simple but appealing renderings make this story a truly fun read.

Serialized in digital form at http://panelsyndicate.com (Where you can acquire the entirety of the story for whatever you'd like to pay!), it was also collected in hardcover form from Image Comics, which you can purchase through this link:

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE #1

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE #1 (IDW) 

Written by Joe Hill and Michael Benedetto, drawn by Gabriel Rodriguez, colours by Ryan Hill 

This miniseries reunites the creative team of the acclaimed Locke and Key series in what is essentially an adaptation of scripts that writer Joe Hill had done as a proposals for a revival of the anthology TV show Tales from the Darkside. 

In sleepwalker a young man who likes to party too much and works as a lifeguard just might be responsible for the death of a woman. Guilt and sorrow are water in the mill of cosmic balance as the fate of 4 people interlock. 

A well written tale that shows its TV origins in structure and inspiration. The art is quite attractive and shows good visual storytelling skills. It is also reminiscent of the work of classic comic book artist P. Craig Russell, with it's clean lines and detailed execution. 

First in a four issue miniseries that is well worth picking up. Available through your local Comic book shop or digitaly on Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/Tales-From-The-Darkside-1/digital-comic/389672