GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Comic Review (ARC): Criminal Macabre: They Fight By Night (one-shot) | I Smell Sheep

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Comic Review (ARC): Criminal Macabre: They Fight By Night (one-shot)

CRIMINAL MACABRE: THEY FIGHT BY NIGHT (ONE-SHOT) 
Writer: Steve Niles 
Artist: Chris Mitten 
Colorist: Michelle Madsen 
Cover Artist: Fiona Staples 
Genre: Action/Adventure, Crime, Horror 
Publication Date: November 07, 2012 
Format: FC, 32 pages 
Dark Horse

After Cal McDonald’s recent resurrection into the world of monsters, he’s back to his old game: solving crimes involving creatures that go bump in the night. After a political candidate is mysteriously decapitated on live TV, Cal teams up with his ghoulish sidekick Mo’Lock and an LAPD detective to find out who the culprit is . . . and if it’s connected to the brewing war of darkness.

* The debates turn bloody . . . live on TV!

* Collects four installments from Dark Horse Presents!

* Leads into the epic 30 Days of Night crossover!

Criminal Macabre is by far one of my favorite comics. It actually makes me laugh out loud and is the perfect mix of horror and humor. Steve Niles is a genius and all the artists that have worked with Steve on this series, while having different styles, always seem to capture the noir/horror elements perfectly.

Cal McDonald is a sarcastic, unapologetic ass and loose cannon, but he has a good heart. He's also a damned good detective despite his addiction to pills and alcohol. Cal can see supernatural creatures hiding among the humans and has gotten himself in the middle of a gang war between different groups of monsters. His partner and best friend is Mo’Lock, a ghoul with a stuffy personality and by far the more mature one in the relationship. Recently Cal has become one of the undead and isn’t adjusting very well, but Mo and the other ghouls living in the sewers are trying to help him.

In this one shot a politician has been assassinated on TV while giving a speech, and Cal and Mo are out to catch who, or what, killed him. While out investigating, Cal is approached by a police detective who teams up with him and gets a crash course in monster killing. But things aren’t always what they seem and the end of the story reveals a betrayal.

Once again the artwork captures the gritty, violent aspects of the story with harsh lines and shading. There isn’t a lot of detailed work, but it does pack an emotional punch especially when matched with the humorous dialogue.

I can’t recommend this series enough. Grab a digital copy of this issue CRIMINAL MACABRE: A CAL MCDONALD MYSTERY #1  
It is only $.99 and it also features my favorite Criminal Macabre artist Ben Templesmith. Give it a try. Then come back and get this latest comic when it releases on Nov 7, 2012.

5 "monster killing" Sheep




Sharon Stogner (edit by Kaplar)

my other Criminal Macabre reviews:
Criminal Macabre: The Iron Spirit 
Criminal Macabre: The Cal McDonald Mysteries Omnibus Vol. #1
Criminal Macabre: Die, Die, My Darling (one-shot)


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