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Sunday, January 28, 2024

Comics Review: "KILLADELPHIA #32" - Don't Trust a White Devil While Signing Your Record Deal in the Hood

KILLADELPHIA #32
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander and Germán Erramouspe
COLORS: Lee Loughridge
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITORS: Greg Tumbarello; Chris Robinson
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander with Lee Loughridge
44pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (December 2023)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Killadelphia created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“Death Be Not Proud” Part II: “Whatever Happened to Blake Edwards?”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander.  Published by Image Comics, it centers on a conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia.  The series is currently written by Barnes and drawn by Alexander and Germán Erramouspe.  Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr.; Anansi the Spider-God; Toussaint Louverture and his army of killers; and a menagerie of fighters and gods and monsters on one side or the other or both in the vampire invasion of Philadelphia.  Of note is a special young vampire (Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw”), and his activities have summoned the most infamous Hellspawn of all.

Killadelphia #32 (“Whatever Happened to Blake Edwards?”) opens in West Philadelphia, where two National Guardsmen are about to make a big mistake with Blake Edwards.  But isn't Blake supposed to be dead?  Well, his desire for revenge against Ron Davies, one of the world's biggest music producers, is very much alive.

Meanwhile, in North Philadelphia, See Saw, Spawn, and a pack of werewolves continue to battle the horde of demons that keep emerging from a... hellhole, while Anansi provides sass and color commentary.  With Corson and Lucifer behind this invasion, victory won't come easy.

Elsewhere, Toussaint Louverture is convinced to rejoin the fight, but this time, he has a new weapon.  And it's a dragon.

THE LOWDOWN:  It's a new day for Killadelphia.  The sixth story arc, “Death Be Not Proud,” has a starring role for the most famous creation from the comics universe of Todd McFarlane, Spawn.

To say that writer Rodney Barnes has shocked and surprised me would be to repeat myself for the umpteenth time in several years.  What can I say?  Here, the definition of insanity would be to keep doing the same thing (reading) and expecting a different result (not be surprised and thrilled).  I must say, however, the Blake Edward subplot and the surprise appearance on the final page are almost more than my imagination can take.

The art team of Jason Shawn Alexander and Germán Erramouspe continue to Ragnarok and roll under the fiery coloring of Lee Loughride.  Their terrifying storytelling with its stream of terrible fates is truly its own hellish Avengers: Endgame.

Where is “Death Be Not Proud” going?  Let's keep following, dear readers.

[Killadelphia #32 is also available in a “Noir Edition,” featuring black-and-white line art interiors.]

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.

[This issue includes an 12-page installment of “Johnny Gatlin” by Rodney Barnes, Syzmon Kudranski, and Marshall Dillon.]

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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