Bedlam #4 Review

In this issue things start wrapping up in the first arc of this series.We start getting answers in regards to just who this new serial killer is going around, as well as the reasons behind it. This is a funny issue as our main character is literally hardly in it at all. This is strange as this may actually be my favourite issue of the series so far behind the mightily 10 / 10 first issue of the series; and Fillmore Press is only in a few panels. Just goes to show how good this series is.

So in this issue we learn more about who the serial killer is, but how did we learn this? Well, this issue was very police procedural; focusing on some of the fringe characters of the series, and Guess what? The effect this had was tremendous. It was thrilling seeing these police officers coming closer and closer to just what was going on, and I felt a sense of achievement for them when they finally narrowed the suspects down. This could have been a really boring issue in the hands of the wrong person, but Nick Spencer really knows how to right any sort of genre it seems. The genre of this book keeps moving around between issues, and even between pages in some cases, but Spencer seems to know exactly what he is doing with it.

The serial killer in question has not really done anything to really make me too interested in him throughout this series, but that all changes in this book. The last couple of pages were shocking to say the least, and I am sure they will be upsetting parents around the world if they saw that their child was reading something like this. Make no mistake whatsoever, this is a mature book and the content of this issue really confirmed that. Once again, this goes to show just how powerful the story telling and art are in this book.

When this arc most probably concludes in the next issue, I really do not have a clue where this series will go. This is not a concern in the slightest, in fact it just makes me even more interested in this series. It now seems like there are endless routes as we are not only interested in just the one character now, but the fringe characters are also worthy of our attention. This is a very exciting time to get involved in this series, and I for one am sure that it is going to lead us in some thrilling directions in the not too distant future.

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Bedlam #1 Review

The feeling I got from reading this book was the same I got after first reading Saga #1. That is how good this book is,and how high my expectations are for future issues. If you are a horror fan of any kind then this is definitely for you.

The books starts off as we see some of the actions of a character called Madder Red. He is pretty much the joker. However, he may be even more twisted than Gotham City's biggest villain. The story then shifts to present day as we see Fillmore Press, a man who seems like he probably used to be Madder Red, going through everyday life. The way the book shifts back and to is absolutely superb.
The dialogue from both Red and Fillmore Press is gripping stuff. I found myself totally immersed in what they were saying. I am not saying what they had to say was sane in any way, because trust me, it wasn't. What it was was though was intriguing, and it led to some scenes that were just downright creepy.

Now lets talk about the art. If the art was any different to what it is, then this book would not work nearly half as well as it does. Riley Rossmo knocks it out of the park. It has a kind of scratchy effect, which when I first saw the preview I actually was not too sure whether I liked it. However, after reading the first couple of pages you soon realise that Rossmo is the perfect artist for this job.

It may be too soon to say that this series is going to be a massive hit. However, the main characters in this book are written so well, it is difficult to see how this book can fail. Also bear in mind that this is written by none other than Nick Spencer (Morning Glories), and we are pretty much onto a winner with this title. 


Rating 10/10

This is my first ever 10/10 rating on this blog. That shows just how much I loved this book. Pick it up!