Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay points!
For this entry, a classic Marvel character howls his way back to the comic shops!
After the events of Marvel's "Bloodiest Event", the 52 year old supernatural staple is set to take things up a few notches. Anyone thinking this will be just "another werewolf" story is sadly mistaken. The adventures of Russell (and Elsa Bloodstone) will be featured under the Marvel Red Band format. Considering how violent "Blood Hunt" was, it is anyone's guess where things are heading now.
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1 by Jason Loo (The All-Nighter, the Sentry), Sergio Fernández Dávila (Venom, Thor), Jay Leisten, JP Mayer, Craig Yeung, Alex Sinclair and Joe Sabino have fans howling at the bloody adventures!
Let’s check out what the first chapter has to deliver!
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1 by Jason Loo (The All-Nighter, the Sentry), Sergio Fernández Dávila (Venom, Thor), Jay Leisten, JP Mayer, Craig Yeung, Alex Sinclair and Joe Sabino (Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
With Loo at the helm, I already had high expectations for this series. Taking a character like Russell (with his history) and putting more mystery behind him was a great start. It gave enough insight for new readers to jump in quickly.
However, the hook that won me over was the introduction of the rogues: Death Watch (the 90's Ghost rider fans know what he's capable of) AND the Hood?! Seeing those two weave behind the scenes can only lead to trouble for any lead. It provides a solid back drop for the internal conflict post Blood Hunt.
Russell's struggles with the beast within is well known. Adding in a new dynamic to it plays for a fresh start. Long time fans won't be disappointed with the changes.
There's a fair share of wolf business that's par for the course. Seeing both plots interweave gives readers much to look forward too. The eventual payoff should be quite the memorable moment. Great start to the series.
Dávila and the team bring out the best of the beast throughout the chapter. There's an excellent two page splash showing off Russell's unique set of skills. This is complimented with another big splash connecting the story to "Blood Hunt". Russell's reaction is gifted a full page image that sets the course for the rest of the story.
When referenced about the "Red Band", the art clearly reflects the savage nature of Russell's world. Two victims of an attack are presented to readers without apologies. Speaking of no apologies, both major rogues make a dramatic entrance into the story with blown up images. Their bloody actions speak volumes to the readers. It caps off with a solid final image that sets the tone for an even greater saga to be told.
FINAL POINTS: 8.8
In dealing with such a well-known character with history, it can be a challenge to present something new. Loo sets up a fantastic starting point that covers much ground before concluding. The art team led by Davila flood the pages with brutal scenarios and an ever-growing sense of intrigue. With a great jumping on point, this one will be a tale you won't want to miss where it leads next.
Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on Werewolf By Night #1. Thanks for reading!