What's most evident from this script is that it doesn't read like or feel like a first issue. I realize Pulido is exploring a new direction in terms of the plot, but there's a key element missing: sufficient exposition, and not just when it comes to the main plotlines. The nature of the title character's origin, powers and motives is completely unclear, and that keeps me from getting involved in the story. It's too bad, because there are some fun characters, strong artwork and an interesting analogy about a war based on religion to be found in this comic book.
The Eldritch -- magical warriors from another dimension -- have established rule over most of Europe in the early 13th century, and they've outlawed Christianity and other human forms of faith. Not all hope is lost, though, as there are those human warriors and their magical allies who seek to oust the Eldritch and leave in peace. Leading that resistance is the half-human and half-Eldritch woman named Hope, but she's far better known as Lady Death. Feared by humans and hunted by the Eldritch, her task is doubly challenging, and her group's efforts to save a throng of human children comes at a high price.
I was a big fan of Jim Cheung's work on Scion, and the nature of the story and characters here play to his strengths. He captures the magical elements of the story nicely. His depiction of Char, the Greelum leader, is actually quite charming. Mind you, there's a lesser degree of detail at play in Cheung's work here, and I'm guessing the inks have something to do with it. Don Hillsman II brought greater defintion to his pencils, but the Cheung/Pennington combination -- though still effective -- reminds me more of the styles of Pat (Namor) Olliffe and Ron (Uncanny X-Men) Garney. Also, when considering the visual components of this book, I must make mention of my relief that the title character is no longer presented as something to be ogled. This new take on Lady Death is far stronger. Her appearance doesn't eclipse the fact that there's a character inside.
Char is a delightful character, and given his appearance and the fact that his troll-like race is called the Greelum, I have to believe that he's inspired in part by Peter Jackson's take on Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies. I also found the faith-based differences between humans and the Eldritch to bring some credibility to the conflict, though it would be nice if things weren't so one-sided, that there was more than one-dimensional hatred toward humans in the antagonists.
I get that Lady Death is born of two worlds in conflict and fits in in neither, but beyond that, I don't know much about the character. What motivates her? What shaped her to be an Eldritch enemy as opposed to an ally? What is the scope of her powers? Why is she called Lady Death as opposed to her given name of Hope? There are far too many unanswered questions for the casual reader here, and I feel as though I've been left out of the loop.
