BLOOD ON SUNSET #3 – Review

BLOOD ON SUNSET #3, from Source Point Press on February 23rd, 2022, forces Clint to confront his past, both romantic and supernatural, while his detecting draws the attention of Uppercut Lombardo.

The Details

• Written By: Mark D’Anna
• Art By: Arjuna Susini
• Colors By: Vittorio Astone
• Letters By: Andworld Design
• Cover Art By: Arjuna Susini
• Cover Price: $1.99 (digital)
• Release Date: February 23, 2022

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Was It Good?

BLOOD ON SUNSET #3 is a rock-solid continuation of the supernatural detective noir tale about a not-so-human Private Investigator (PI) on the trail of a killer trying to frame him for murdering a high-level gangster.

The story, by D’Anna, keeps the focus and tone squarely on the detective noir part of the story with a narrative that feels like it was ripped from a Raymond Chandler novel circa the 1940s. D’Anna’s approach to the material works because the supernatural elements are integrated so well into the story, the mashup of genres never comes into conflict with each other. The monsters are a matter-of-fact part of the life D’Anna has constructed, and it’s the seamless integration between the two genres that makes this narrative intriguing.

Beyond the intrigue of D’anna’s world, this issue makes little progress on the plot but more progress on building out the characters and the “rules” of this world. The down point in the last issue was the lack of clarity about the monsters that exist – are they vampires? are they ghouls? are they something original to this world? D’anna is playing coy with the monsters, but it doesn’t seem to serve the story or readers (yet).

That said, we get a little more insight into Clint’s “affliction”, and even though what he is may not be obvious, D’Anna does establish a few connections to Clint and an important character. That connection is enough to feel satisfied that more information is coming and to ratchet down the frustration.

Susini’s art, again, nails the right tone for a detective noir story while adding in believable action scenes of the supernatural variety. The characters are expressive, which serves this issue well during an important scene between Clint and his ex-girlfriend. And the supernatural violence fits the seamless integration of noir and supernatural to complement D’Anna’s writing.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

The issue opens with Clint talking to a dead man. If you’re lost as to who or why, first read our BLOOD ON SUNSET #2 review.

We begin with Clint having a heartfelt conversation with his ghostly friend in Clint’s truck. The conversation is a mild recap of the start of their relationship as well as a word of encouragement to Clint over his current predicament – being framed for murdering famed gangster Bugsy Siegel.

Back at his apartment, Clint finds his ex-girlfriend and former paramour of Bugsy Siegel waiting for him to discuss the unpleasant events from Clint’s prison visit in the last issue. As the conversation progresses, old feelings come up about Clint’s possible jealousy, his no-longer-human status, and the grim reality that they’re both targets for who (or what) killed Siegel.

We conclude the issue with insight into Siegel’s gambling operation, Clint making an interrogation stop that goes badly, and an introduction to Uppercut Lombardo.

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