Dark Shadows #5

[Tulku]

Yet another strong issue in this series. I am still having a little trouble adjusting to the art style, but the writing has been impressively strong. This seems (at least on the surface) to be a single-issue story probing into the Barnabas' conflicted nature--being both a good man and a horrible monster at the same time. This is not some silly comedy like the Johnny Depp movie seems to be (at least based on the promos). This is a gloom-ridden, somber story of survival (both that of Barnabas and the Collins family).

And I don't want to be too critical of the art because I understand that they are working under restrictions: by its very nature and atmosphere, the art needs to be filled with (ahem! cough, cough) dark shadows. And, because it is based on the TV series, established characters should bear some resemblance to their TV counterparts. Actually, with those requirements, the art has been quite good. It just isn't quite to my taste. But the writing is so good that I will happily ignore any art shortcomings that I perceive.

A new story arc is beginning. If you haven't been reading this book, start with this issue.

[positronic]

I don't mind the art. This issue did seem like a different artist (don't have the earlier issues at hand to check).

[Tulku]

It may be. I gave my earlier issues to a friend as a birthday gift, so I can't easily check right now.

I saw the Dark Shadows movie yesterday (with the same friend). It is, of course, in no way like the comic book, but I wonder if the movie will give a boost to sales. The tone of the movie is far more light-hearted, going with a gag whenever there is an option to be spooky. If somebody only knows the movie, the comic book will come as a huge shock!

[positronic]

Tim Burton's Dark Shadows is to DE's Dark Shadows as Seth Rogan's Green Hornet is to Kevin Smith's Green Hornet. DE seems to have the worst luck in picking "soon to be a major motion picture" licenses.