THE LAST DAYS OF US: FORSAKEN #1 – Review

In THE LAST DAYS OF US: FORSAKEN #1, available from Second Sight Publishing on October 20th, 2021, 19th-Century London feels the walls between our world and the spiritual planes thinning as All Hallows Eve approaches. A Secret Order must race to stop a deadly conspiracy from breaking the walls open for good.

The Details

• Written By: Sebastian Suarez
• Art By: Francisco Paronzini
• Colors By: Diego Fiorucci
• Letters By: Diego Fiorucci
• Cover Art By: Max Fiumara
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: October 20, 2021

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Was It Good?

I like this comic, where it’s going, and the story it’s trying to tell. THE LAST DAYS OF US: FORSAKEN #1 mixes intrigue with magic and demons, set in Victorian London, for an intriguing horror drama.

If you want to get a sense of tone, this title is reminiscent of horror dramas such as Penny Dreadful or Carnival Row. Think of it as a type of alt-history where the supernatural is real and accepted as part of everyday life.

There’s a fascination with a fictional history incorporating the supernatural that bears a kinship with other forms of fiction such as Steampunk. It’s fun to imagine the stories and dramas that would unfold if historical events had happened differently in a world a little more fantastical than our own. That fascination seems almost universal among readers blessed with a creative imagination.

The writing in this first issue is solid. The challenge is the sheer volume of characters thrown at you in a single issue. Imagine going to a party where you don’t know everyone. You’re introduced to everyone for the first time and find you have to work to remember the names and roles of everyone you meet should they come up again. Suarez does an admirable job introducing all the characters in an organic way, but some readers may feel like they have to take notes to keep them all straight.

The plot relies on mystery to carry the story, and again, Suarez is successful. Through snippets of dialog, we learn about an approaching threat. Through an unpredictable scene involving a little girl, the stakes are raised even further. And subplots play out to weave it all together. In other words, the plot structure is above average in complexity (which is why so many characters are introduced), but Suarez manages to keep it all straight.

The art is also good in this first issue. The character designs are memorable. There’s a demon possession scene that’s different from any other demon possession scene you’ve ever seen. And the general look of the issue feels authentic for the time period. The one down point on the art is the lettering. It’s not terrible, but there are a few spots where the kerning (spacing between letters) looks off, turning into a distraction.

Overall, this was a fun issue with a LOT going on. If you’re a fan of properties like Penny Dreadful or Carnival Row, this is right up your alley.

What’s It About?

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

We start with a pair of individuals slinking above the rooftops in 19th-Century London. The masked magic wielder breaks into the home of a sleeping couple and kills them, using the blood to initiate some type of ritual.

Next, we meet Lady Vida Gedmintas. She’s come to see a local fence who’s come into possession of a mystical statue. Despite the unscrupulous manners of the fence and his overly rough bodyguard, Vida leaves with the statue and a minimum of bloodshed.

On to Mr. Lancaster. He’s an older gentleman and the apparent head of an Order tasked with protecting Earth from mystical threats. As All Hallows Eve approaches, the veil between worlds weakens and he’s finding himself very busy leading up to the event. On his latest house call, a young girl is possessed by a demon that has a very specific message for Lancaster.

We conclude the issue with a cryptic warning, a screaming statue, and the suggestion that an annual event will be extra special this year.

Final Thoughts

THE LAST DAYS OF US: FORSAKEN #1 is a rich, complex horror drama about a conspiracy to use All Hallows Eve as the catalyst for a supernatural takeover. The writing skillfully weaves multiple threads to give the story depth, and the art nails the tone and aesthetic of 19th-Century London.

Score: 8.5/10

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