A review by wendleness
DayBlack by Keef Cross
4.0
This was a pretty fun, smart and interesting read. I was intrigued by the premise–a vampire who works as a tattoo artist in a town of perpetual darkness. Add to that narcolepsy, falling asleep while tattooing and strange dreams and i needed to read this graphic novel.
My favourite aspect were the details around vampire lore. It reminded me of I Am Legend; it played on the stereotypes while doing something new and interesting with them. It also brought the vampire myths firmly into the modern day by addressing how vampires could be affected by technology and disease. I found those kinds of thoughtful details really fascinating.
And of course, the artwork. It really struck me, because i don’t think i’ve come across this kind of style before. In a lot of ways it is quite simplistic; black and white line drawings with splashes of red and a few colourful collages. But within that simplicity is a lot of detail; crosshatching and lines for shadow and emphasis, negative space and excellent framing. The two kinds of frames that were the most striking to me were the less complex ones with one focus, and the scenes that shows Merce’s dreams, which were abstract and full with so much to take in.
A longer review can be read at my book blog: Marvel At Words.
My favourite aspect were the details around vampire lore. It reminded me of I Am Legend; it played on the stereotypes while doing something new and interesting with them. It also brought the vampire myths firmly into the modern day by addressing how vampires could be affected by technology and disease. I found those kinds of thoughtful details really fascinating.
And of course, the artwork. It really struck me, because i don’t think i’ve come across this kind of style before. In a lot of ways it is quite simplistic; black and white line drawings with splashes of red and a few colourful collages. But within that simplicity is a lot of detail; crosshatching and lines for shadow and emphasis, negative space and excellent framing. The two kinds of frames that were the most striking to me were the less complex ones with one focus, and the scenes that shows Merce’s dreams, which were abstract and full with so much to take in.
A longer review can be read at my book blog: Marvel At Words.