Skip to content
CGMagazine
  • News
  • ArticlesExpand
    • Buyers Guides
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Previews
    • Spotlight
    • The Vault
  • ReviewsExpand
    • Game Reviews
    • Comic Reviews
    • Anime Reviews
    • Book Reviews
    • Tabletop Reviews
    • Hardware Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV Reviews
  • Guides
  • Magazine
  • MediaExpand
    • Podcasts
    • Video
    • Sound Off
    • First Fifteen
    • Weekly Goods
    • Video Interviews
    • Video Reviews
  • Store
  • Newswire
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
CGMagazine
The Black Beetle in Night Shift #0 Review 1

The Black Beetle in Night Shift #0 Review

  • Nicole Rodrigues Nicole Rodrigues
  • January 2, 2013
  • 2 Minute Read

 Francesco Francavilla’s art is so great. A noir sensibility with a heavy dose of Mazzucchelli style line/shadow work, his covers look straight out of 60’s film posters and pulp novels. This is the first dedicated title for The Black Beetle, a character created by Francavilla. He handles all aspects– writing, directing, artwork, colouring– only lettering is done by someone else. It’s an impressive undertaking previously showcased on his Pulp Sunday blog and in issues 11-13 of Dark Horse Presents. His approach is retro but refreshing as evidenced by the cover credits: The Black Beetle in Night Shift, A Mystery Novellette by Francesco Francavilla. It’s a comic book spin on classic pulp stories and the first issue delivers murder, intrigue and over the top villainous deeds.

The Black Beetle is a shadowy hero with a pretty awesome costume. It’s simple but unique in the comic world where there are only so many different tights and capes to go around. It has a really great silhouette, which not many heroes can boast. Just like how you always know it’s Batman by his silhouette, the same is true of the Black Beetle. The outfit also matches the time period, 1941 in Colt City, where Hitler is still a very real and ever encroaching threat. It may be cliché to fall back on one of history’s vilest villains as the antagonist but that’s just how the book approaches it; historically, but with a twist. It’s a fact of the Black Beetle’s world without being a cheesy punch line. Similar to how Hellboy’s world includes Herr Hitler as a character fascinated by black magic and mythology, The Black Beetle is looking into a specific artifact that’s guaranteed to catch Hitler’s eye, which recently became part of the Colt City Natural Museum of History’s collection. Of course, once he starts to investigate, evildoers appear.
timthumb.jpg
It’s an unabashed debut, setting up Black Beetle’s world without spilling all the beans. He’s a mysterious character whose intentions aren’t totally clear yet, especially with a surprising scene at the end of the issue that certainly makes it seem like he’s not completely a good guy. There’s something really iconic about every aspect of this book, from the title to his character to the artwork and more. The visuals are superb, heavy shadows and a very simple colour palette. There are rarely more then three colours used on each page, achieving the noir tone without difficulty. One of my favourite parts is how he’s even themed the letters section as WCCR Colt City Radio. It’s a meticulously created mythos and I’m excited to read the rest.
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on reddit
Nicole Rodrigues

Nicole Rodrigues

Writer. Photographer. Nerd.
All Articles

Must Read

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition) [Roll20] 1

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition) [Roll20] Review

Pieces of a Woman (2020) Review 2

Pieces of a Woman (2020) Review

Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch Review 1

Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch Review

MORE FROM Nicole Rodrigues

An Interview with Mike Mignola 1

An Interview with Mike Mignola

Cosplay Etiquette 101 1

Cosplay Etiquette 101

Joshua Williamson On The Return Of Captain Midnight

Joshua Williamson On The Return Of Captain Midnight

Kick-Ass 3 #1 (Comic) Review 1

Kick-Ass 3 #1 (Comic) Review

CGMagazine Logo

Advertise with us
Jobs @ CGMagazine
© 2020 CGMagazine Publishing Group

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Linkedin
Instagram
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Policies
  • Jobs
  • Contests
  • CNW News
Menu
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Policies
  • Jobs
  • Contests
  • CNW News
  • News
  • Articles
    • Buyers Guides
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Previews
    • Spotlight
    • The Vault
  • Reviews
    • Game Reviews
    • Comic Reviews
    • Anime Reviews
    • Book Reviews
    • Tabletop Reviews
    • Hardware Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV Reviews
  • Guides
  • Magazine
  • Media
    • Podcasts
    • Video
    • Sound Off
    • First Fifteen
    • Weekly Goods
    • Video Interviews
    • Video Reviews
  • Store
  • Newswire
Search