REVIEW: "The New Deadwardians" #1

[CBR News]

Kelly Thompson gives "The New Deadwardians" #1 4.5 stars, saying the issue by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard presents a "fresh take on vampires and zombies that will make you rethink all you thought you knew."


Full article here.

[Mr. Holmes]

I was going to get this, but never mind. Let me know when there's a new Vertigo book that isn't about vampires and/or zombies.

[AgPhoenix]

I was going to get this, but never mind. Let me know when there's a new Vertigo book that isn't about vampires and/or zombies.

Besides American Vampire and I Zombie, how many Vertigo books are about Zombies and Vampires?

Not saying that your point is totally invalid (especially if you look at the medium as a whole), but don't you think it's just a bit unfair to judge Vertigo as a the Zombie/Vampire imprint?

[NinjaMic]

Waaay too high.

2 and a half for me.

[2 Up 2 Down]

never have too many vampire and zombie books

[The_Dork_Nut]

Too much Zombie and too much Vampire in the general pop culture right now.

[2 Up 2 Down]

Still room. American comics are dominated by the superhero genre. Whats a few books and zombies and vampires gonna hurt?

[noh-varr]

I was going to get this, but never mind. Let me know when there's a new Vertigo book that isn't about vampires and/or zombies.

I am a bit confused why were you thinking about picking this up if you are so against a vampire/zombie book? It has been slated as one from the get go. And you are quite missing out, this is a very interesting world looking at a place where death isn't something people deal with anymore, well the rich don't. It is just as much about social class as anything else. I honestly forgot there was vampires at all in this, zombies were a bit more prevalent, but they could be any kind of random monster that is around.

Still room. American comics are dominated by the superhero genre. Whats a few books and zombies and vampires gonna hurt?

Yeah, I want to say this from time to time. The same when people complain about "ANOTHER" science fiction or crime book, there are exactly how many of each of those? And how many books with Batman in them? Let alone just super heroes in general!

Anyways beyond all of that, I enjoyed this book a lot. The preview made me pretty sold on giving it a shot, but the actual issue far exceeded my expectations. This would fit well into old school Vertigo, it focused on a class system and felt "English". I am very intrigued by the main character, the world he lives in, and discovering the answers to this murder case.

[Mr. Holmes]

I am a bit confused why were you thinking about picking this up if you are so against a vampire/zombie book? .

You're assuming I recently found out that's what the book is about. I just changed my mind on second thought. I even posted a preview of this issue in another thread.

[noh-varr]

Fair enough. It was quite good though, give it another look through next time you're at the shop you may change your mind. Or not. I did make an assumption though, and for that I apologize. What made you think about picking it up in the first place and what changed it since then?

[Mr. Holmes]

For the past few years, I've been only getting Vertigo in trades, but now I feel I should support the monthlies, so this new relaunch looked like a good place to start. Both Voodoo Child and Saucer Country look promising so far, but there isn't much to go by yet. Between a lot of the DC books in the dark line and the Vertigo trades I read, I just feel that I've read enough vampires/zombies though. I'll probably give this one another shot next week when I'm in the store though.

[Chad]

it focused on a class system and felt "English". I am very intrigued by the main character, the world he lives in, and discovering the answers to this murder case.

I'm very impressed with the balance Abnett has established between presenting a London that would be appreciated by anyone familiar with this period and creating a London that has drastically diverged from the history we know. I think what holds everything together is his main character George Suttle who is very captivatingly written. I can't entirely put into words what I like about this character but it has to do with little personality traits that seem to override the person Suttle should be - his compassion for his murdered maid and empathy expressed towards his servant girl coming so soon after Suttle reflects upon his inability to remember what it was like to once dream and wish for things.

I really like the artwork as well and Culbard's nuanced efforts serve these characters - especially the lead - very, very well. My only criticism is that it doesn't show us enough of the city that is so important to this story. An establishing shot of Scotland Yard for instance, gives only a glimpse of a few rooftops and Big Ben and we see very little of the denizens of Zone 2 and the bars/gates/etc which supposedly seperate the different areas of the city. Still, what has been depicted has been presented by a talented hand so overall I'm really impressed.

Anyhow, I'm not sure how I feel about the murder mystery aspect of the tale. I'm worried that it will take the creators focus off so many things that would be better worth exploring, but at the same time, optimistic that if anything, it'll give them a chance to really delve into them instead.

[JohnDelaney]

Solid first issue for this mini. Love the story, setting, and time period. Let's see how the next few issues go.
Good reading
Jd

[liam1682]

I am interested in this book from what I read at the store, however I think I will just wait for it in trade

[magri]

I'm definitely going to give this a couple more issues. Love the period that it's set in and the twist on it. I'm intrigued as to how the murder is going to link in to the history of the zombie/undead angle. Zombie's do seem to being given a good airing at the moment, so a different take on it like this is welcome.