COVER OF DARKNESS #3 – Review

COVER OF DARKNESS #3, from Source Point Press on March 23rd, 2022, continues the saga of a family in turmoil as a goblin ringleader holds supernaturals in his show, Dracula discovers a valuable child, and Frankenstein has risen.

The Details

• Written By: George Michail, Chris Cam
• Art By: M.J. Hiblen
• Colors By: M.J. Hiblen
• Letters By: M.J. Hiblen
• Cover Art By: Nikki Powers
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: March 23, 2022

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Was It Good?

This series continues to be a monster lover’s dream. Every issue draws upon classic monsters from film and literature and reimagines them in a refreshing way without losing the spirit of what makes those characters so memorable. COVER OF DARKNESS #3 is another satisfying example of this refreshed approach to classic monsters.

The main thread involving Jericho and Janus’s new life in a circus run by a malignant, deal-making goblin gives readers insight into the sad existence of freaks on display. Maria’s new life as Dracula’s thrall comes with unexpected consequences. And, readers are treated to a different-yet-familiar origin story for Frankenstein’s monster that not only corrects a common misnomer (calling the monster Frankenstein when it’s Frankenstein’s Monster) but adds a new twist to the zombie genre. It’s monster after monster after monster but told in a new and terrifying way. This series is hog heaven for monster fans.

In fairness, you could make the case this comic is turning into Fan Service: The Monster Edition, and there’s some truth to that argument. However, it all depends on how the creators converge the growing assortment of origin stories to come together in some yet-to-be-determined way. If there’s a downside, it’s that the direction of the story is unclear. There’s plenty to like regarding the reimagined origins of Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein, and more, but those origins don’t appear to be connected to anything yet. Until the connection is made clear, the series falls short of greatness.

Regarding the art, it fits this material to a tee. The linework is sketchy/scratchy, and normally that would be considered a down point, but that scratchy style suggests an Old World antiquity to go along with the time period of the story, and it gives edges a sharpness to match the dangerous edges of each monster. That’s a fancy way of saying claws and fangs are scarier when they look jagged. Granted, the lines could be more refined in some spots, but as a whole, this art style works well.

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]

If you’re unsure about what happened to Jericho, Janus, and Maria, first read our COVER OF DARKNESS #2 review.

We begin with a performance under the big top. Jericho and Janus take on the form of tigers to give the audience a show as if the tamer were performing daring acts with wild beasts. We learn after the show everyone who’s taken in by the goblin ringmaster is under contract to do his bidding, whether they like it or not. Jericho and Janus are desperate to escape their contract and return to their family.

974 years earlier, Mary Frankenstein mourns the loss of her husband, Victor, the king’s brother. Mary’s brilliant mind has brought technological wonder to the island of Santorini and the city of Atlantis by harnessing the power of the island’s volcano. Death, however, is the problem she hasn’t solved, and she’s desperate to resurrect her husband by any means necessary.

Elsewhere, Dracula revels in the sunlight as his diet of Maria’s magical (witchy?) blood gives him the power to overcome his vampiric weaknesses. Unfortunately, Maria has been turned by Dracula’s bite, and she may be trapped as his feeding source forever.

We conclude the issue with the consequences of a broken contract, immortal life, and undead hunger of assorted varieties.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.

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