In this Article:
Review
The inaugural issue of Scout Comics’s new Black Caravan Imprint title Cherry Blackbird #1 centers around a tough-as-nails rock star who sold her soul to the Devil for fame. Unfortunately, the pact Cherry made was time-sensitive, stating she would be dragged to hell come her twenty-seventh birthday. However, she is offered a reprieve of sorts if she can do Satan’s bidding and collect seven diabolic souls that escaped the Abyss within a year’s time.
As the countdown to Cherry’s next (and final?) birthday begins, she prepares to set out and recover the septet of renegade demonic spirits.
The book is written and drawn by Joseph Schmalke with lettering by Joel Rodriguez and editing by Shawn French.
The Story of Cherry Blackbird #1
If one were to put The Runaways, the 2010 biopic about the girl rock band that shot Joan Jett and Lita Ford into superstardom, into a blender with The Devil’s Rejects or any one of the other ultra-violent and darkly humorous horror films Rob Zombie penned and directed in the last fifteen years, the end result would undoubtedly be this book.
While there is no doubt our protagonist Cherry Blackbird kicks ass both literally and figuratively speaking throughout this 28-page book, the star of this first issue is the Devil himself. Whether he pops up dressed like an unemployed game show host looking for their next gig or in slightly more animistic form, the Prince of Darkness is a sinful delight. Sarcastic as hell and armed with enough one-liners to keep a standup comedian in business for a year, Beelzebub really gets the story moving whenever he appears on page. His interplay with Cherry is the most entertaining things about the book.
The Art of Cherry Blackbird #1
To call Joseph Schmalke’s artwork in this book “eye-catching” would be an understatement. A hybrid of noir and realism, his drawing style proves to be effective in seizing the reader’s attention and producing several memorable sequences. Though the story appears to take place in present day, there is a real 1970s visual feel to the characters and setting.
Conclusion
Writer and artist Joseph Schmalke puts forth the best of two genres – the unapologetic grittiness of an adult-themed graphic novel and the blood and gore of a no holds barred horror tale – with an artistic style reminiscent of Frank Miller and a script that’d give Wes Craven nightmares.
This title is intended for mature audiences, due to sexual imagery, drug references and graphic scenes of violence, but none of the adult themes were done gratuitously. Not a single moment of this issue felt over-the-top or put upon the page just for shock value. Joseph Schmalke maintains a good balance without veering off into pornographic or wanton territories, leaving the reader thirsty for more and wondering how Cherry plans on accomplishing the insurmountable feat ahead of her.
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