KILLADELPHIA #13
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics
STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack
36pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(May 2021)
Rated “M/ Mature”
“Home is Where the Hatred Is” Part I: “Family First”
Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander and is published by Image Comics. At the center of this series is a police officer caught in a lurid conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love.” Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.
Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr., who comes home to Philly to deal with the final affairs of his recently murdered father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr. Not dead, but undead, the father joins the son, the chief medical examiner (Jose Padilla), and a rebellious vampire to lead the battle that saves Philly from the vampires. But that was just the first battle, and this is a war.
Killadelphia #13 (“Family First”) opens in Los Angeles, where another undead former President of the United States confesses his sins, announces his plans, and re-introduces his family. Elsewhere, John Adams, our nation's second president finds that his wife, Abigail Adams, the vampire queen in control of legions, no longer needs him. Philadelphia will fall at her feet.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the shocking events that closed the last issue, James, Sr. seeks help from Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw,” but the young man is busy with his own revolution. Will he help, or will the help come form an unexpected guest?
THE LOWDOWN: Killadelphia begins its third story arc, “Home is Where the Hatred Is.” After the pyrotechnics of the previous story arc, “Burn Baby Burn,” this new story line looks to focus on family – damned and otherwise.
It is not beyond my imagination to see a future where a few [Negroes] who provide quality entertainment could assimilate …
Good one, Rodney! Seriously, Killadelphia's scribe, Rodney Barnes, has managed to keep this series extra-fresh for over a year. Dear readers, I have rarely had a chance to doubt this series, as Barnes' imagination presents vampire fiction that offers layers, subtext, and alternative views of much of the supernatural that defy the bonds and boundaries of vampire fiction.
The art team of illustrator Jason Shawn Alexander and colorist Luis Nct keep this series pumping the warm blood. Alexander's daring and inventive compositions and Nct's hot coloring spurts hotter arterial fluids even when a vampire isn't biting.
Killadelphia #13 is a welcomed return. One of the best horror comic books out today is back in black and red, and I highly recommend it. I think you will like it. I'd stake a vampire on it.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.
Killadelphia #13 has a backup feature:
“Elysium Gardens” Part 6 “The Wake of the Wind”
Created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander
Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Chris Mitten
Design: Sherard Jackson
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Edits: Greg Tumbarello
The back-up feature, “Elysium Gardens,” opens in Philadelphia, May 1st, 1985. Angela/Zubiya and her pack of werewolves have arrived, looking for someone. They have found their prey, Stregherian witch, Tituba, among the Black liberation group, M.O.V.E. And Tituba has a history, or rather, her story to tell.
As he does with Killadelphia, writer Rodney Barnes makes “Elysium Gardens” both allegorical and metaphorical in the way he uses the brutality, savagery, barbarism, greed, and sin of white supremacy, racism, white colonialism, and white settler violence in the character, setting, and plot of his stories.
It is as if the spirits of the ancestors are guiding Barnes' hands. Just over a month ago, media reports revealed that the remains of a child of M.O.V.E. were being used in a Princeton-back online forensic anthropology course – reportedly without the permission of her relatives. Is it a coincidence that Barnes has introduced the organization into this narrative now? I think not; the ancestors move in mysterious ways.
The art by Chris Mitten is a nice change of pace. Mitten captures the emotions and the spirit that resides within the characters' eyes. His graphical storytelling is good for “Elysium Gardens.”
A+
10 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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