Black Forest 1-2
Image Comics
http://www.theblackforest.net/
Written and drawn by Todd Livingston , Robert Tinnell ,Neil Vokes

Review by Larry Stanley

Ah, yes; the big boys of Universal Studios just can't be stopped. You can drive a stake through their heart, set them on fire, shoot them with silver and one way or another they will figure out how to come back.

In this story, we follow the adventures of American flying ace of World War One (you remember, the "War to end all Wars"? I don't think most of the world got the memo) named Jack Shannon. Jack is one of the American lads who have signed on to fight the Kaiser before the U.S. has entered the war and British magic and occult expert Archie Caldwell.

The two could not be more different, one a hotshot flyer and the other a gentleman of refinement. But the two are brought together by British Intelligence. Their mission is to enter the Black Forest of Germany where the Germans extra-natural teams are located and destroy the hideous creatures that the Germans are using to create even more warriors that can't be stopped.
Written more like a pulp adventure story then a modern Comic, Black Forest is a masterful, over the to story of evil verses good in a more innocent world of yesterday.

Livingston and Tinnell never go for shortcuts in their work. It is all action, timing and something missing in a lot of creators today, imagination. And it is difficult to not get caught up in the fun and their storytelling power. And the plotting does nothing more then show off Neil Voke's drawing style and talent. Everything from the aerial shots to the scenes in dungeons work together to bring you a story that is both creative and downright fun to read.

I grew up with the Universal Monsters; they were fun and used a creepiness factor, a sense of drama and suspense as opposed to today's monsters with razor blade gloves, hockey masks or chainsaws and machetes. And since they went into public domain, now a whole new generation can see them done in book form or on the big screen by people who love them and grew up with them. For those of us who cowered on the couch during Fantastic Features, these guys are as familiar to us as Chandler and Monica or Ross and Rachel. We recognize them the way kids today recognize a pop star.

Looking like a movie and reading like a first class Comic The Black Forest is something Comics fans are lucky too get a chance to see. In our world of Spandex clad superheroes who fight off hordes of evil doers, there is something Jack and Archie that just sit well.

Fine work guys. When will Number 3 be out?