Turf #1
I like to try and read books have a hook. A mob war between Vampires, 1920s gangsters, and aliens was solid enough for me to try out at least the first issue of this new Image Comics series.
The setting is the always interesting roaring twenties, with dames, speakeasies, and prohibition all on the Isle of Manhattan. The art in this book is appropriate to the setting, with dark hues, and period appropriate dress. The problem comes in where there are so many word balloons and captions, you cant really appreciate everything. I understand that this is a five issue series, and with such an ambitious story there is a lot you need to convey to the reader, but a lot of the captions are things that the art should be able to convey to the reader. Each page feels claustrophobic, and not in a way that adds to the pacing of the book.
With all of that out of the way, the characters are interesting, well written, and have beautiful design. The concept is not mishandled, and in throwing together these story elements that would be easy to do. I like the realistic approach to the Vampires in this story. They are handled well, as is the Manhattan Mob.
This book is going to get my money next month because of the positives, but is really close to being a drop. I’m hoping they don;t have to try and cram so much into each panel in the next few issues, and tell the story in a more economical way.
3 Dented Fangs out of 5.
Entertainment deficit disorder 