Issue: Billy the Kid’s Old Timey Oddities and the Ghastly Fiend of London #2
Release Date: October 27, 2010
Writer: Eric Powell
Artists: Kyle Hotz, Eric Powell
Colorist: Dan Brown, Dave Stewart
Cover: Eric Powell
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
What struck me first about this comic was the old-time feel of it. The lettering and coloring makes it reminiscent of days before, when you could buy an issue for just a few cents and would read it so many times that the pages threaten to fall apart. This comic’s story upholds that feeling as well.
We open with a gruesomely murdered body littering the street; the police trying to simply clear out the scene. She was a prostitute turned victim of Jack the Ripper. And she wasn’t the only one that had their life ended too soon, as there are many more bodies just down the block. But didn’t the police apprehend the Ripper just last night? Looks like they’ve got the wrong guy!
Well, we as readers know that of course Billy the Kid isn’t doing double-duty as Jack the Ripper. However, the two-faced Malcolm and Miles is indeed doing double-duty. I like that his two halves seem to work together rather than in competition, as is often the case. He helps break out Billy, while the other abnormals are on the look-out for him.
And if the cast of characters weren’t already varied enough, Dr. Holmes and Sproule join the search. It seems like everyone who’s anyone in London is looking for Billy the Kid. While Holmes is off accompanying the lucky lady to his home, Sproule has happened upon Billy and Malcolm/Miles. And we soon discover that Dr. Holmes is just as sinister as he looks. His alternative identity may be Jack the Ripper. But moreso, he’s got yet another alternative identity — Mr. Hyde. Until next time, we must leave our story here.
I have to give kudos for the scope of destruction that Powell and Hotz have managed to encompass in these pages. The crime scene with the multiple victims all laid out tells such a gruesome story without having to say one word. Also, the ability to set up this cast of characters, often intertwining upon themselves, was a feat accomplished well in the comic. I’m interested to see where the storyline goes.
Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
