Back in October, I reviewed “Dead Man’s Run” #0 from Aspen Comics. The preview issue was a good read, and I was excited for the new series to start. Issue #1 hits the stands this week, and I was able to get a sneak peek. After reading it though, I now have mixed feelings about this series.
Before you get Dead Man’s Run #1, you WILL need to read #0. If you skipped it, you’d better ask your local comic shop owner if he has any copies left. Without reading that issue, you will be lost, and I think that is a mistake on the part of writer Greg Pak. Some stores rarely carry #0 of anything, and even then, those are often overlooked. I believe when doing a prequel issue like that, it should enhance the main series, but not be required reading.
Also, the large time gap between the release of #0 and #1 is awkward. While I enjoyed Dead Man’s Run #0, by the time I was able to read #1, I had all but forgotten about the story. Readers who have to wait too long can lose interest in almost anything.
As for the story itself, we learn more about the relationship of Sam Tinker to his sister Juniper. His love for his sister is a strong motivating factor for Tinker as he has to face the inhabitants of Hell. They are pulled there when Captain Romero is killed while trying to investigate an incident at the Andrew Jackson Federal Correction Facility, which is actually Hell. Romero is now a prisoner in this place, and he is hoping that Tinker’s skills as a cartographer can help him get back to the surface world.
Perhaps this is a metaphor for the fact that many consider prison to be hell, or perhaps they really have been pulled down into an other-worldly dimension where the dead are punished for their sins. Pak has done a nice job creating this place while allowing the reader to draw our own ultimate conclusions on where they actually are.
I have to admit, I’m on the fence about this series now. After reading Dead Man’s Run #1, I now have what I think are perhaps too many questions. There is a fine line often between compelling and confusing. I’ll reserve final judgment for at least one or two more issues. Perhaps Pak can clear up a few things in the upcoming issues, and bring this story back to the right side of that line.
Preview provided by Aspen Comics
Connect with Aspen via
