Written and drawn by Francesco Francavilla
Issue 1 of Francesco Francavilla’s Black Beetle carries on from the zero issue released last month and offers up another slice of quality comics for readers. While this issue doesn’t exactly pick up where zero left off it definitely intrigues with new mysteries and plot threads.
The issue deals with our protagonist, the Black Beetle staking out a meeting between two of his city’s biggest criminal kingpins where it all goes horribly wrong. As I mentioned before, the zero issue’s plot of fighting a group of Nazis to retrieve an ancient mystical artifact had no relation to the story here which was jarring as I was expecting it to pick up where we had left off. However, I’m feeling like Francavilla could be fooling us here, presenting a different story and later have the zero issue’s story threads interject dramatically. I can’t wait to see.
Again, Francavilla’s art is just gorgeous here. Each page is a feast for the eyes, each panel designed and drawn to storytelling precision. To me, he can do no wrong. I’ve read the issue three times now and every time I noticed something different or appreciated his technique even more. He’s able to tell a story not just through words and dialogue but through his art as well, which makes it flow so consistent.
Black beetle is equal parts Batman, Indiana Jones and the Shadow with Francavilla’s own fresh take on it and it is a joy to behold. It’s evident that this is a dream project for the creator and that type of love and care going into each issue has me very excited. It has rocketed to the top of my most anticipated each month and I can’t wait for the characters and story to be fleshed out more.
5 out of 5 nerds
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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