Written and Illustrated by Keef Cross
The first issue definitely drew me into
the story. This time Cross tells us more about Merce's modern life as
a tattoo artist in DayBlack, Georgia. In Issue one, we learn that
Merce has figured out a way to suck blood without killing anyone. He
became a tattoo artist and used the needles to siphon blood out of
unknowing victims. This idea is hip and demonstrates that Cross knows
how to write.
Again, we meet Merce while he awakes
from his coffin which is covered with promotional stickers for soul
artists. That alone gets props. I spent several minutes looking at
these stickers to see if I ever owned any. Cross also introduces us
to another character who works for Merce. Cross gives her enough
dialogue without taking away anything from the story.
Merce continues to have dreams of times
past mixed in with fantasies. Lately, they have been happening so
much that it's been affecting his work. At one point, he ends up
killing a customer. While burying the victim, he encounters a vampire
hunter.
Cross does a great job of providing
enough mystery and moving the story along. This is very difficult to
do when introducing a new character to a new audience. The artwork is
stupendous (an adjective I used in the review for issue 1). Cross
should be penciling for the major publishers. I look forward to
grabbing more issues of DayBlack.
