The first issue of this new Dark Horse Comics series from Jeff Lemire (Author), Mike Deodato Jr. (Artist), Frank Martin(Colorist), and Steve Wands (Letterer) starts off with a lot of promise which makes it even harder to understand how, by the end of the issue, the story falls a little flat and comes up short of expectations.



From the first page, the art of Mike Deodato Jr. and Frank Martin is amazing, and it continues this way throughout. They give a huge presence to the character of the Mongrel King and the lands he calls home. From desolate wastelands, to burning villages, to piles of fallens foes and bloody battles, it really is a treat to take in the visuals and the art style itself fits so well with the combat style of the story. This is Deodato Jr’s first venture into creator owned work since leaving Marvel, and if first impressions are anything to go by then we are in for a show with whatever stories he tries his hand at.

The Conan comparisons seem to be very strong early on. The Mongrel King is a hulking warrior who hacks and slashes his way through battles and so far, has come out the better for it. In comics in particular it can be hard to give a lot of substance to characters like the Mongrel King who often kill their way from page to page, but again Deodato Jr. does amazing work in bringing his emotions to the fore. You can feel his rage and his hurt throughout the story and it adds that bit extra to his character.



There isn’t a whole pile here in the first issue that lays the foundation for what’s to come or for what kind of character the protagonist is, apart from the elements of magic and what appears to be some kind of inter-dimensional travel, it’s a very vanilla origin story. The hero returns from a victorious conquest to find his loved ones murdered and sets off to find revenge in whatever form it takes, add in some magic and here we are. It’s easy to be harsh on the story, but Jeff Lemire is an amazing writer who has proven himself so many times in his creator owned work. That’s why taking this issue for what it is and remaining hopeful for the next issue comes a little easier. Not many authors can ask that of their audience nowadays.



The price of this issue is worth it alone for the amazing art and colours, as well as a fun but familiar plot. With that being said, as a first issue there doesn’t seem to be enough meat and bones to this new Dark Horse Comics series to guarantee readers return to give the second issue a chance to hook them.

