I'll bet that Peter Lenkov is a fan of novelist Caleb Carr. I've read a coupe of Carr's novels too... The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness. Both crime novels are set just before the turn of the 20th century in New York City, and the same holds true here. Carr's works and Lenkov's Fort script even share a real-life character in common. But while Carr created a historical spin on serial-killer suspense, Fort is more of a 19th-century X-Files. It's a little obvious at times, but it's a whole lot of fun.
Librarian Charles Hoy Fort isn't like most people. His cataloguing of some unusual volumes in the New York City Public Library have opened his eyes to mysteries that the world is ill-prepared to imagine, let alone accept. Fort finds a link among a number of strange murders in the same area of the city, and he soon discovers the nightmarish creature responsible. He also comes face to face with an unlikely ally in his quest to protect his fellow New Yorkers.
Judging from his efforts on this book, it seems clear that Fraser Irving is strongly influenced by comics legend Gene (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula) Colan. At one point, I could have sworn it was Colan's vague, dark, mysterious style that brought this story to life. I'm also reminded a bit of the organic, flowing pencil of Tom (Creeps) Mandrake. Choosing to tell this gothic sci-fi story in black-and-white was a smart move, as it better enables the artist to drench the characters and settings in a sea of shadows.
I loved the inclusion of real figures from history in this piece of fiction. A pre-presidential Teddy Roosevelt turns up here, just as he does in those Carr books, and Lenkov also turns a pubescent H.P. Lovecraft into the title character's sidekick. These little touches add a greater degree of plausibility to the story.
The plot here is pretty basic and it falls into place with ease. But that's OK, because this book isn't about the plot, really. It's about atmopshere, and the creators do an excellent job of keeping the reader engaged in that manner. Mystery and weirdness and history all mix to make for an unusual and entertaining read. On top of that, there's plenty of potential for further Fort stories, and should the plotting get a bit more unconventional and sophisticated, Lenkov would have something truly outstanding on his hands.
Note: This trade paperback was not among this week's new releases.
