THE BLACK-JACK DEMON #1, available from Literati Press on June 2nd, 2021, follows a boy in the Old West hunting down the demon who killed his father.
The Details
- Written By: Nick Hermes
- Art By: Nick Hermes
- Colors By: Nick Hermes
- Letters By: Nick Hermes
- Cover Art By: Nick Hermes
- Cover Price: $2.99
- Release Date: June 2nd, 2021
Was It Good?
It has excellent potential.
The art is good quality, from the lines to the colors to the lettering.
The writing is simple and straightforward. There are no weak points in the plot, the dialog feels natural, and the setup is clean and clear.
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The only thing that could help this book is a stronger hook. So much of the demon’s actions happen off-panel, so we don’t get a sense of stakes other than the boy’s desire for revenge. But we don’t see much interaction between the boy and his father, so you don’t get a sense of their bond, and consequently, you don’t have much empathy for the boy’s loss.
The story itself is as simple as the life on the Western planes, so if you’re fond of Old West tales with a supernatural twist, this one’s right up your alley.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
A boy, Silas, and his father lease land from the local Native American tribe to run a mine. The mine is occasionally attacked by robbers and competing miners, so responding to a ruckus with rifles at the ready is nothing new.
One night, large explosions can be heard coming from the mine and the father assumes the mine is under attack by somebody with dynamite. The father lays a trap along a trail to flush the attackers out so Silas can shoot them down. The father takes the lead while Silas waits along the trail behind some boulders. The father never returns.
When Silas loses patience and heads to the mine, he finds his father dead, stripped of all skin and hair. The mine is in ruins, and a huge fissure splits the Earth where the mine once stood. Silas concludes a demon crawled out of the fiery Earth, killed his father, stole his father’s skin, and is headed for some unknown destination.
After burying his father, Silas heads into town for help. The local sheriff has no love for the boy’s father, so he sends Silas away. As a last resort, Silas turns to the only person who would be willing to help (for a hefty fee) — Humphrey.
Humphrey is a giant of a woman and a terrible gambler, so she takes the bounty in exchange for a portion of Silas’s gold. The two ride out of town and pursue the demon wearing the father’s skin. Humphrey assumes they’re chasing a man until Silas is forced to reveal how his father was killed when the one they’re chasing manages to stay ahead of their horse by running.
We conclude the issue with the duo catching up to the demon in a lonely gully.
How Does It End?
When a demon needs a face, any face will do. Silas and Humphrey both have terrible aim. Silas believes his fear and cowardice are what drives him.
Final Thoughts
THE BLACK-JACK DEMON #1 is a simple tale of revenge in the Old West with a supernatural twist. The pacing is good, the art is better, and you can clearly see where the story is headed in the next issue.
Score: 7.5/10
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