Nocturnal Essence

(Powerful, 2004)
™ and © Powerful

The title might sound like a cheap perfume, but this comic doesn’t stink. Not that it smells like roses, either, but it’s a not–too–-odorous entry into the Underworld and Lost Boys type of horror.

There are werewolves and vampires in Chicago’s underworld, a mysterious agent who appears to be a cross between Blade and Donald Trump, talk of corporate takeovers, and the usual Goth club where everyone comes together. Kenn’s plot packs a lot into the introductory issue and, in turn, makes an all–too–common mistake: Readers are asked to comprehend too much, too quickly. The assassination of a company vice–president–werewolf is promising, but the action quickly dies down, as exposition piles up.

Stahlberg’s script, fortunately, is fairly tight and provides some clarity. Scott’s layouts show promise, and his pencils are adequate, but McClain’s inks are stiff, consisting mostly of a single-line thickness that makes the pencils look as though they were merely traced, rather than truly inked.

This is decent enough to provide a fix for those who can’t get enough horror in other comics.

— Jim Johnson

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Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

May, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $1.70

Danika Kenn, Lance Stahlberg

Nicola Scott