Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Christopher Sebela
Artist: Chris Visions
Release Date: 11th June 2014

Dead Letters is an interesting story about what lies beyond life as we know it. It’s a story of Sam – or at least that’s who he’s told he is – and his new life “Here” in purgatory. Sam doesn’t remember who he is or what he did in life, but he knows that everything he did there is helping him now in his mission from God,- or rather, what’s is told is his mission from God. Sam is continuing his search for Beryl and following every rabbit hole he can to find out what happened to her and whether or not she is still alive or if she’s been scattered. He’s still working with Maia and God, and he’s still in bed with Jones but now he has joined up with Ma so he has managed to infiltrate every faction and his loyalty is still a question left unanswered.

I have always been a fan of stories that have their own unique spin on different religious aspects. This is no different. I like the fact that we have a story developed around a possibility of what happens after death. I was raised and stand firm in my religious beliefs of Heaven and Hell and what it takes to make it to one or the other. But I definitely find it intriguing that someone has created a world based on the idea that there is a possible purgatory that is exactly like the life we live in now except void of feelings, memories and death. Sebela has a unique way of throwing in different words or themes from biblical truth into his tale such as the “forbidden fruit” drug. If you have knowledge of the Bible you recognize these things and can appreciate their uses.

However, while I find the story to be interesting to a point, there’s just too many things happening at one time which makes the whole thing a little difficult to follow. You have the main character trying to figure himself out, trying to find this mystery woman who little is yet known about and he is playing three other gangs in the process. I would find the story more accessible if instead of playing all three factions from the beginning build a little more backstory on Sam and why he is trying to find Beryl and just who he she is, then allow the development behind the three “gangs” and their connection to her. It’s an interesting read and I enjoy it but it’s still a bit hard to follow which makes it a chore to read.

Chris Visions’ artwork, while it is definitely his own unique style, does little to help alleviate the confusion in the story telling. Sometimes when a story is hard to follow the artwork can fill in the gaps in the actual word play. However, in this case, I found the artwork just as hard to follow as the story. There is a lot crammed into every panel on every page, which is a commendable approach but which also leaves the eye confused as to who is who, what panel is next, and who or what is actually in each panel. So while the story. So while I appreciate the unique style and the work put into every issue, for me it’s just too much going on and not clearly defined enough to really hook me.

Rating: 2/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Shane Hoffman (aka “Hoff”)
You can also find Hoff on Twitter.