1895: Seven Days in Mayhem
Titan Comics 2017
Written by Kim Newman
Penciled by Paul McCaffrey
Inked by Bambos Georgiou
Coloured by Kevin Enhart
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Meanwhile, the anarchist agitator Alexander Ossipon (Monday) has been taken to the Tower of London by Secret Police chief Caleb Croft and tortured to death by his turncoat comrade Gabriel Syme (Thursday). Penelope Churchward has been appointed by the Prime Minister Lord Ruthven to oversee the Committee for the Jubilee, which convenes at the Tower. After the gruesome death of her companion, Clovis, Penny seeks out his killer… and is surprised to encounter the Master of the Tower, the ancient and reputedly dreadful vampire Graf von Orlok.
Part of me is both fascinated and a tad disappointed that Nosferatu should look like his classic black and white appearance and yet be in such a cartoon, animated style. How much more terrifying would be be if it were more serious a look on him than what we’ve got. On the uptick it does certainly tell us this is an alternate history story where he’s concerned and his inclusion in this story is delightful. Though we aren’t really very sure whom he is supposed to be considering he doesn’t talk and there’s another reference made to Dracula, Vlad the Impaler being his best friend so who knows what role he’s really playing here.
As for the story itself, with traitor’s and this upcoming party and not less than three factions with their own plans things are moving along and not yet making a lick of sense to me. I love that because it just means that as we learn about these characters and the world they inhabit we begin to see where the power struggles lie. Some want power others want to be free and then there are a few who we aren’t too terribly sure about. It’s really a very interestingly written story it doesn’t feel like one we already know in terms of how it’s structured and things are revealed and it’s rather refreshing in that regard.
The interiors are a bit too animated or comic booky for my tastes with something of this nature i’d love to see more oomph and be scared but then I still can’t figure out if this is comedic horror. Regardless the way page layouts are utilised through their angles, perspective and use of backgrounds here is very nicely done. The Walrus Man and the way some vampires look show off the creativity and imagination of Paul extremely well. Oh and yes the Asian faction sigh it’s so beautifully rendered to see that old vampire so regal in his chair and outfit!
I’m enthralled by this world, so much I got the first book! I love that this is unlike anything else from its premise to its execution. That the characters have these wonderful personalities and we can find those we love and those we hate so easily alongside being able to relate to having someone in power that we don’t agree with it all just swirls around together and forms that perfect storm.