Comic Reviews: 'The Walking Dead' Screenwriter Brings Magical Realism To The Jim Crow South With 'Dark Blood'

Comic Reviews: ‘The Walking Dead’ Screenwriter Brings Magical Realism To The Jim Crow South With ‘Dark Blood’

Aug 04 2021

‘Dark Blood’ No. 1

Writer LaToya Morgan
Illustrator Walt Barna
Review by Felix Cornell

Avery Aldridge is a family man and decorated vet, as well as a Black man living in 1950s Alabama. He’s simply trying to make a living to support his family, but a run in with a violent and racist white man in a dark alley will lead to a dramatic unfolding of events that will seemingly change his life forever.

The first issue of “Dark Blood” gives you a simple plot, but adds in just enough details to let you know that something else is going on. Through a series of flashbacks we learn that Avery was a pilot during WWII, but 10 years later he is working at a diner in the Southern United States and supporting a family. So what is “The Variance” that is referenced throughout? What are the strange powers that Avery Aldridge possesses? Just what exactly are the flashbacks trying to lead us to?

Screenwriter LaToya Morgan (“The Walking Dead”) and the artist team of Walt Barna and A.H.G. have brought us a story of magical realism in the American South, about what it would mean to have power when you’re told you don’t have any.

‘Mamo’ No. 1

Art and Story by Sas Milledge
Review by Krystal Moore

“Mamo” starts out innocently with a girl, Jo, riding a bike through a beautifully illustrated landscape. Soon though, we find out that she is on a search for a witch. She finds a green Jeep in a clearing with a young girl inside reading. She inquires about whether or not the girl, Orla, is the witch. After some back and forth, it seems that Orla is a witch, but maybe not the witch. Eventually, Jo persuades Orla to help her.

Jo is trying to find someone to help her mother who’s been asleep for months. Jo also has two sisters to look after. When the two come into the town, it looks as if Orla may not be welcome. Once inside Jo’s house, things swirl into a greater mystery as Orla realizes she may know exactly who is causing the family’s problems.

Pretty quickly this book turns its storyline towards the horror genre. It’s warm art style is a little misleading as I’m sure was intended. Sas Milledge is an Australian writer and illustrator pulling double duty on the book, and while lovely to look at, the art is hiding a bit of an unsettling story that may keep us awake at night.

Top Story

Fodor’s Names Louisville Free Public Library To Its ‘Most Beautiful Libraries in America’ List

Recent

10 Things To Do In Louisville This Week For $5 And Under (6/13)

The Always Sunny Podcast Is Recording Its First Live Episode In Louisville At Bourbon & Beyond

‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Is Entertaining At times, But Has No Interest In Being A Good Movie

Review: ‘Hamilton’ At Kentucky Center Delivers A Good Time And A Bit Of History

Top Story

3 Concerts To Catch In Louisville This Weekend (6/3)

Recent

Kentuckiana Is Getting A New Live Music Venue, Losers 812, With Ties To Knocked Loose

Jack Harlow Captures His Derby Experience In ‘Churchill Downs’ Music Video

Forecastle Roundup: Four LEO Writers Recap The Music Festival’s Return

3 Concerts To Catch In Louisville This Weekend (5-27)

Top Story

Activist Groups Plan Lawsuit, Rally After Supreme Court Decision Ends Abortion Access In Kentucky

Recent

The Thaw: Fighting Climate Change In Louisville

America Is In Decline And We Should Rejoice For The Chance To Start Over

Two Former Louisville Police Officers Plead Guilty To Federal Charges After Throwing Beverages At Pedestrians

Man Arrested After Mayor Greg Fischer Punched At Fourth Street Live

Top Story

Cocktails And Cockapoos? Pups On The Patio Is Coming To The Local Seltzery

Recent

Old Louisville Brew Craft Beer Festival Returns Aug. 26

For A Top-Notch Sichuanese Meal, Go To Jasmine

Local Rum Brand Saltwater Woody Introduces Ready-To-Drink Cocktails, Just In Time For Summer

Everything — Well, Some Things — You Wanted To Know About Appetizers In Louisville

Top Story

Star Valley Strawberry Festival

Recent

Southern Indiana Pride

Slack Tongue City Poetry Reading

Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic Tour

Primus: A Tribute To Kings

Comic Reviews: ‘The Walking Dead’ Screenwriter Brings Magical Realism To The Jim Crow South With ‘Dark Blood’

Publishing Louisville's arts and entertainment news, community-focused stories, and colorful local commentary since 1990.