Advanced Review: Dead Man's Run #1

If you missed the concept behind Dead Man’s Run then allow me to paraphrase for you. Hell is aprison, the worst and most dangerous prison in the world and someone needs to breakout. If you missed thezero issue of the series then I highly encourage you to check out our review orpick it up as a back issue at your shop. It was one of the best zero issues I’veever read since it actually did something for the story rather than just act asa giant ad for the series.

The first issue picks up right where the zero issueleft off which was a bit surprising. Captain Romero is laying half dead on theground buried under a crate of gold bars. His men attempt to save his life, buthe calls them off knowing that it’s too late. With his final breath he tellsthem to send him Tinker. Sam Tinker also works at the most dangerous prison onthe planet, which is not surprisingly located in California. News of Romero’sdeath spreads quickly and soon Sam’s sister Juniper is in town to take himaway. She’s worried about his safety, but she’s the reason he works at theprison in the first place. Her gesture is kind, but ultimately in vein as theircar is hit by a truck killing them both.

Sam wakes up in prison aka hell, completely confused as towhy he’s there. He’s dragged to a cell kicking and screaming for his sister.Once there a ghostly woman steals his jacket because she’s cold, confused Samyells out at here. This catches the attention of the guards and they come over andeat the soul of the woman. At this point Sam meets the others on his cell blockincluding Morazzi who threatens his life for getting the woman (his best thief)killed. The really story kicks off when Romero and Tinker come face to face.

The story is great, it’s fast paced and intense and reallykeeps you turning the pages quickly. I probably read the entire thing in fiveminutes. Greg Pak’s writing just pushes forward and really doesn’t give you achance to slow down and breathe, which works really well with the type of story it is. Thereis actually a lot of character development for Sam in the issue which wassurprising due to the nature of the story, but the scenes with his sister and alater scene really give you a feel for what type of person Sam is. It doesmake you wonder why he’s in hell; it’s explained but the explanation more thanlike is just a cover to play into the story later on. That’s probably the bestthing about this issue as Pak has placed hints of plot points within this firstissue that are sure to come into play in future issues.

Let’s talk art! Tony Parker, Tony Parker! The art is of thehighest quality and honestly I’ve come to expect no less from Aspen’s titles.The benefit of good art in this book is that does the great story the justiceit deserves. Parker’s has this mixture of classic comic style with moderndesign. He gives each character a ton of personality with simple facialexpressions that end up saying as much as the dialog. Parker’s art keeps upwith Pak’s fast paced story and because of that the two elements arewell-balanced.

I’m not surprised by how good this issue was since I enjoyedthe zero issue so much. It has a lot going for it: plot and concept working togetherin harmony, great writing and fantastic art. Will Sam make it out of Hell? Ihave no idea, but I’m hooked on this book until I find out and that's why its so damn good.

Score: 5/5

Writer: Greg Pak

Artist: Tony Parker

Publisher: Aspen Comics

Price: $3.50

Release Date: 1/18/2012