Revelations #1 (of 6)
Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artist: Humberto Ramos
Colors: Leonardo Olea
Letters: Richard Starkings at Comicraft
Price: $2.99

Rating: 3 ½ stars

When longtime Pope John Paul II passed away earlier this year, there was a surge or interest and renewal in the Vatican and Catholicism. As the new Pope Benedict XVI has taken office and things have gone back to normal, the spark has died down a bit. Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos aim to reignite interest in all things mystic and Curia through their brand new mini-series from Dark Horse called Revelations.

Detective Charlie Northern’s biggest problem is that he needs to quit smoking but doesn’t really want to. He is 45 years old with a slight fetish for the unexplained. One late evening, a friend of his comes knocking on his door with mysterious motives. Cardinal Marcel Leclair hasn’t talked to Charlie for 15 years, but shows up with a murder mystery of mammoth proportions. A mutual acquaintance has been killed and there is most definitely foul play involved. Charlie, a detective with Scotland Yard, is called in to do his own investigation.

Jenkins’ work is never stronger then when it is unfettered by continuity. He has done extensive, wonderful work with Marvel on both their Hulk and Spider-Man titles, but never really got the spotlight like other creators on similar titles. His work on Wolverine’s “Origin” has probably brought Jenkins the most attention of all the work he has done in comics. For all the great things Jenkins has done there, his work here is the best I have seen so far.

His partner in crime is Humberto Ramos, who he has collaborated with almost exclusively the last few years. Ramos’s work is hard to put a finger on, as it has a pre-manga buzz about it, but with a twist. When his characters feel an emotion, it is like a fire cracker going off- there is not subtlety to it. I have always really liked this bold style as typified by Ramos, and think this is his best work as well. Ramos excels in a horror-mystery story, and he and Jenkins has great symmetry.

If you are looking for something that is not strictly in the super hero mold, this book is like a breath of fresh air. Revelations #1 sets up the details of a murder mystery with a full length novel appeal. From a compelling lead character in Charlie Northern, to a sinister back story, this mini-series is shaping up to be something special. Not quite Vertigo, but certainly not spandex, Revelations is appealing and captivating.

Comic Reviews