So dreary, you won’t believe it’s not London…
Creative Team:
Writers: Mike Mignola & Chris Golden
Art: Peter Bergting
Colors: Michelle Madsen
Letters: Dave Palumbo
What they say:
As a madman’s plot to pierce the veil between worlds brings the Drowning City ever closer to doom, Simon Church and Joe Golem race against time to find an ancient artifact before its power is used for evil. But even a golem may not be able to withstand the menace of the mysterious gas-men . . .
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
After the last issue, I and many others were left scratching their heads about who these people were and what they were doing. The primary issue was full of intrigue, but lacking on the who, what, and why. In the opening panels of this issue, we learn that Molly McHugh, assistant to the medium Orlov, has been taken to Golem’s partner, the slowly aging Simon Church. This issue serves to tie up loose ends from the premiere, and sets the stage for a harrowing journey full of suspense and fun.
While Molly and Church become more well acquainted, Joe Golem heads out into the streets looking for the ‘Gas-Men,’ a group of gasmask wearing individuals who are responsible for Orlov’s disappearance. Chasing down a soggy lead, Golem is set upon by a pair of Gas-Men and is KO’d with a lead pipe. While floating in the rising waters, Joe has a flashback to his time in Croatia, many centuries ago. It’s incredible to see how far Golem’s lifeline stretches back, but one thing is certain, he hunts witches.
Flash forward back to Molly and Simon, who have been profoundly discussing Simon and Joe’s past, and we see the beginnings of a partnership to form between the old timer and the fresh mouthed young girl, creating an interesting dynamic.
In Summary:
Mike Mignola has carved out his place in comics as a striking contributor to the mythos of great literary minds like Poe and Lovecraft. Joe Golem fits well into Mignola’s stable of creative heroes, a seeming everyman who has a distinct and storied history. What lulled me into submission about the book, it’s dreary Mignola tinted universe, is something I’ve fallen into before. While this book is well worth the read, the setting alone is sublime, and there is a ‘been there before’ aspect to the series I can’t shake. I’m in for the long haul, but let’s hope we get some new tropes instead of the usual Mignola fare.
Rating: B
Age Rating: E
Released By: Dark Horse
Release Date: October 10, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
