Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are the architects behind some of DC’s biggest events and series creating concepts and stories that reverberate years later. Court of Owls to Metal, they’ve helped define modern-day DC Comics. Now they’ve taken their “show on the road” as part of Snyder’s multi-comic deal with comiXology. We Have Demons #1 kicks off a whole knew idea that also feels like a throwback to some classic comics as well. Previously available as part of comiXology Originals, the series is now seeing print courtesy of Dark Horse.
Written by Snyder, We Have Demons #1 introduces us to Lam an interesting individual who has an interesting history and future. Lam is the narrator of the story, literally taking us through history to get us to her current moment, she might have to kill some friends. Why? You’ll have to read and find all of that out.
Snyder and Capullo’s combo of styles for the comic evoke an early Image, mostly Spawn with both how the story is told and how it plays out. Art panels are often to the right as narration is to the left taking us through the story, a very different style of comics than many or releasing now. And it works, it works well. We get the story and the history from Lam’s perspective, it’s clearly her story in many ways. And with what’s told, it’d be difficult to get the same effect and focus any other way.
What Snyder and Capullo do really well is that build up. As we’re given the history and what we need to know there’s a sense that something isn’t quite right. We know it’s not due to the opening. But, what the hell is actually going on? Chapter by chapter all of that is revealed until we get to the action packed ending that feels like it’d fit perfectly in a Sam Raimi film.
There’s such style to the comic. It mixes the humor of Raimi with the horror scares of that fantastic filmmaker with the visuals and style of a McFarlane. The combo is a comic that’s full of laughs, heart, and just solid storytelling. In the debut issue the comic has its “voice” and below it well. This is a comic that knows itself in every way.
Capullo’s art evokes his work on Spawn. There’s a focus on shots that are close in playing with the reader’s imagination and designs that would fit perfectly into that earlier work. With Jonathan Glapion on ink and Dave McCaig‘s coloring it’s the visuals you’d expect from Capullo but a bit reserved in a way as well. This isn’t the over-the-type art from the duo’s later DC work but instead feels like Capullo getting back to his roots in some ways. Tom Napolitano‘s lettering stands out as well as the comic begins to twist and turn at the end delivering more personality to what is dealt with.
We Have Demons #1 is a solid start of a series. While it isn’t anything completely new it delivers its story with a certain sense of flair that makes it a really fun and entertaining read. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and you can tell all of the creators involved are just cutting loose and enjoying the comic. There’s humor underneath even the most tragic moments of the comic. There’s a solid vision for the series in every way and as a start to Snyder’s return to his “indie” roots, this points to some solid things ahead.
Story: Scott Snyder Art: Greg Capullo
Ink: Jonathan Glapion Color: Dave McCaig Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
comiXology provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
