The first issue sold out, and it's easy to figure out why, since this title is the result of the efforts of the same creators behind the uber-popular sleeper hit, 30 Days of Night (and the sequel, Dark Days, which just got under way). Criminal Macabre is an entertaining story that mixes the hard-boiled private-eye genre with horror, but those seeking the same innovation and creepiness of #0 Days will be disappointed. Those just looking for a lighter but gritty, fun story will be satisfied, though.
The ghouls who live in the sewers of Los Angeles tell Cal McDonald a strange story, about vampires coming into their subterranean homes and driving them out. It makes no sense, as it's inconsistent with vampiric behavior, based specifically on feeding, not territory. A call from an old friend turns up more evidence of uncharacteristic supernatural behavior. The call also lands Cal in the middle of a murder, and into the hot seat with the L.A.P.D.
Fans of 30 Days of Night already know about Templesmith's deliciously angular, dark and textured style, and there's plenty more of it to be found in this book. But it's just a bit different than the work he's done for those IDW vampire titles. There's a slightly more cartoony tone to the characters -- but only slightly. The action flows smoothly, though I wish the main character were rendered a bit more consistently.
The notion of different species of monsters joining forces for criminal rather than supernatural purposes is a novel one, and it makes for an entertaining read. Niles spells out the rules of McDonald's world quite clearly, and despite the fact that he's a real bastard, one can't help but like him, thanks to his loyalty to his unusual friends. Furthermore, Templesmith's designs really bring out a creepy, inhuman quality in the monsters. These don't look like people in movie makeup; they're far more alien and menacing in appearance.
I've read a fair amount of Steve Niles's Cal McDonald material -- even thumbing through Guns, Drugs and Monsters, his prose novel -- and I'm struck by the fact that much of the storytelling is... familiar. Niles seems to be covering the same material, but from slightly different perspectives. There are elements in Criminal Macabre that remind me of events from the novel, for example. The notion of a private eye that deals with the supernatural is an interesting concept, but I get the feeling Niles is running out of things to say about the character.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
