THE INSPECTRES (VOL. 1), from Blue Fox Comics on Kickstarter, delivers four chapters of supernatural suspense when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is visited by the ghost of Robert L. Stevenson with a warning to stop the mythical Spring Heeled Jack.
The Details
- Written by: David R. Flores, Jarod Hunter Roe
- Art by: David R. Flores
- Colors by: Alex Petretich
- Letters by: Jimmy Betancourt
- Cover art by: David R. Flores
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $18.35 (for the digital pdf)
- Release date: August 2023 (estimated)
Is It Good?
THE INSPECTRES (VOL. 1) is the latest indie offering from Blue Fox Comics, one of our favorite publishers of spooky stories, about an eclectic group of famous creators and performers who’ve come together to stop a legendary murderer. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a supernatural twist, this volume is right up your alley.
David R. Flores and Jarod Hunter Roe use natural happenstance and warnings from beyond the grave to bring together the greatest names of the early 20th century to battle evil. Everyone from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Harry Houdini to a young Agatha Christie has a part to play, and the notable aspect of the script is how well Flores and Roe capture the personalities of those real-life celebrities to add flavor and drama to the story.
For example, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is as famous for his staunch skepticism of the supernatural as he was for his creation (Sherlock Holmes). Harry Houdini desperately sought proof of the supernatural, while acknowledging his fame was based on deception and misdirection. Together, the two men continually challenge each other with their skills and their dispositions on the supernatural, creating a detecting team that’s more powerful than either could be alone. The mystery surrounding a supposed supernatural killer is interesting, but it’s the interplay between the heroes that sells this volume.
The minor down point of this issue is the sheer volume of dialog you have to absorb to get through the story. It would be more accurate to call this volume an illustrated novel than a graphic novel because the art, as good as it is, does very little to tell the story. Communication of scenes and idea mostly happens through dialog. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the balance between art and words leans heavily on the words.
How is the art? It’s very good. Flores and Petretich deliver memorable character designs and settings. When Spring-Heeled Jack shows up, his action scenes pose a deadly threat, and the spectral moments with “ghosts” look great.
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]
We begin with a young boy walking through a city park on a dark and snowy night. An elderly woman, hidden by a cloak and hood, asks his help as an escort lest the reports of Sping-Heeled Jack attacking women walking alone prove true. After a short stroll, the Spring-Heeled Jack attacks the walking duo, but the demon is surprised, in turn, by a group of men brandishing unique weapons. The demon is unmasked as a circus performer turned to a life of crime, and the group announces themselves as the InSpectres, led by an elderly Charles Dickens.
Years later, the young boy has grown into the famous Sherlock Holmes author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. his brief time with the InSpectres reinforced a lifelong skepticism of anything supernatural as a grift by fiends, hucksters, and charlatans. Now, Doyle has a disturbing vision that Robert L. Stevenson visits him from beyond the grave to warn Doyle about the real Spring-Heeled Jack. Stevenson urges Doyle to seek help.
Throughout the volume, a new generation of InSpectres takes shape, including Bram Stoker, Harry Houdini, and a young Agatha Christie. Before long, the murders begin, and witnesses point to a hooded figure who can leap over giant walls in a single bound. We conclude the volume with an impossibly strong ghoul named “Hyde,” grave robbery, and glowing red eyes.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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THE INSPECTRES (VOL. 1) is a winner for readers who like historical fiction with a supernatural twist. The eclectic collection of real-life characters forms an interesting team dynamic, and the mystery will keep you guessing. That said, this volume leans heavily on the dialog and less on the art, so be prepared for an above-average amount of reading.
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