The Black Hood #1
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As regular Scoop readers know, during the disruption caused by the COVID-19 virus, we’ve featured reviews of individual back issues, runs, collected editions, and original graphic novels that captured and held our attention over the long haul. Now that “new comics Wednesday” has returned in some form for many around the country, we’ve decided to continue including great older comics among our features. Remember, once your store is open, checking out their back issue bins or bookshelves is a great way to #BackTheComeback.
The Black Hood #1
Archie Comics Publications; $3.99
Duane Swierczynski’s comic book background prior to The Black Hood may or may not have prepared readers for what they find in the pages of this debut issue. Among his efforts have been runs on Cable at Marvel, Birds of Prey at DC, Bloodshot at Valiant, and Judge Dredd at IDW – all of them enjoyable. While they have varying degrees of crime noir infused into their stories, the tough, street-smart realism that this story starts out with seems more in line with his novels. And that’s not only a good thing, it’s a great thing.
In Michael Gaydos (Alias, The Pulse, 24), Swierczynski has been matched with an artist for whom “dark and gritty” does not mean poorly drawn as it does for so many. The art is moody and rough, but it does not choose style over substance. Rather, it delivers both.
The story is indeed a rough one, aimed at adults and not kids, hence Archie Comics not putting its usual name but rather the new Dark Circle imprint on it. Even though it’s filled with a difficult subject and coarse language, and even though it might seem bleak, there are some really human elements that shine through in it, making The Black Hood #1 a real cut above.
It walks so many fine lines so well that it will be a tough act to follow. We’ll be back for the next one to see how they do it. In fact, we may camp out waiting for it.
–J.C. Vaughn
Reviewer’s note: The entire Dark Circle run of The Black Hood was collected into three trade paperback, all written by Duane Swierczynski, and all of which maintain the grit and appeal of this first issue. They are highly recommended if you like this one.
