Courtfighter Comics Series
Zenescope does horror best
By JEROME MAIDAPhiladelphia Daily News
For the Daily News
Despite a stated mission to emphasize science-fiction releases in 2010, it is clear the strength of Fort Washington-based Zenescope's line lies in its horror titles.
This is not a knock on its sci-fi offerings, which have been quite entertaining; it is simply Comics Guy recognizing that they arguably do dark, moody horror comics better than anyone else in the industry.
The latest piece of evidence that adds credence to that theory is its new horror offering, "The Waking," in which writer Raven Gregory packs a plethora of plot threads and compelling characters into the series' initial issue.
Turns out there are four detectives investigating two seemingly random murders. The case of Jeff Daniels, a medical professor murdered in his home, is being investigated by Detective Laurence Williams and Detective Keith O'Brien; the case of a hit-and-run killing of an alcoholic named Frank Belliterger is being handled by Officer Vanessa Pelagreno and a male officer who is never named and serves as the book's narrator.
While Gregory has O'Brien come across as what would happen if Cartman from "South Park" grew up, lost weight and was headlining a reboot of "Lethal Weapon," Williams is portrayed as a cross between Sherlock Holmes and the officers from "Law and Order: Criminal Intent."
Indeed, despite the murder appearing incredibly unusual and freakish, Williams quickly begins putting the pieces together. As we soon learn, it seems like he always can find answers to crimes, no matter how mystifying. And it is a pleasure to watch him work.
One thing O'Brien's portrayal does is prevent "The Waking" from devolving into yet another gritty, overly serious and moody crime book.
The dilemma the narrator blathers on about to Pelagreno serves the same purpose. Though Pelagreno is sexy, smart and confident, there is no possibility of Benson-Stabler-style romantic tension. The narrator is married and his problem is that his wife, Betty, is a nymphomaniac.
As O'Brien remarks, "He's the only guy I know who would see that as a bad thing." Naturally, this being a Zenescope book, once readers see Betty, they will likely think the same thing.
Such scenes tend to lighten the darker mood of the book, in which a moral character has her belief in concepts like good and evil, right and wrong and justice severely questioned by what she sees and experiences.
In issue No. 1, we are also introduced to Jonathan Raine, a man with a dark secret that will have many readers feverishly wondering what - or who - his secret involves.
It takes until the end of the first issue for readers to realize that not only do the murders appear to be connected but that both victims may actually be returning to avenge their deaths. The mystery behind these "wakings" and the hunt by the police and freshly undead victims to discover who's responsible for the killings promise to dominate the rest of this gripping, intense and innovative horror series.
"The Waking" is one comic that will have you on the edge of your seat from the time you open it to the time you are finished. It's that good.
Van Stone - courtfighter?For the past 16 years, local activist Van Stone (born Samuel Van Stone Downing) has dabbled in the world of comics plus has had stints at a few newspapers and a short-lived magazine.
His latest creation, "Courtfighter," is based on an actual nonprofit group, launched last Christmas, that advocates for people's rights' being protected while in the court system. Information on Van Stone's "Courtfighter" can be found online at courtfighter.com.
"It has a visual spirit and a lot of action that reflects my feelings for new guidelines in local courts," Stone says.
The comics series and art appears on the blog myrikalisfire. blogspot.com in installments in a weekly or biweekly blog.
Stone's goal is to collect the online material into a book once he has sufficient material.
E-mail comicsguy@phillynews.com
