Review – Blood Brothers #1 (Dynamite)

Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Writer: Fabian Rangel Jr.
Artist: Javier Caba
Release Date: 28th June 2017

Blood Brothers, Fabian Rangel Jr. and Javier Caba’s Kickstarter comic series, concerns a pair of siblings sharing far more than the usual brotherly connection. The brothers are hard-boiled detectives with supernatural abilities, embroiled in the dark underworld of a city populated by creatures from world mythology. Diego and Gabriel Soliz are a pulpy partnership; Diego is drawn from the pages of a Dashiell Hammett novel, with the added, weary burden of being able to ‘see’ or communicate with spirits, and Gabriel is a luchador, complete with mask, cape, and skin that glows when otherworldly creatures approach.

The partnership of brain versus brawn is a fun one, with Diego working the smarts and Gabriel bringing his unique lucha libre style of fighting to the party if anyone – or anything – gets in their way. There is plenty of scope for narrative and character development, particularly with the familial relationship between the two protagonists. The plot points to a significant supernatural mystery that revolves around the brothers’ father in the first issue, as the pair searches for a stolen Aztec skull.

Rangel Jr.’s dialogue has many Spanish inflections, which is a nice touch that serves to further the characters’ backstories. Though the dialogue sometimes feels more functional than realistic, delivering necessary narrative information, the way that each of the brothers reacts to news about their missing father is subtly revealing. Despite the brief time spent with the brothers, this reader feels a connection to these characters, and is looking forward to the adventures and mysteries they will encounter in future instalments.

Caba’s artwork lends itself perfectly to this pulpy mash-up. His bold lines and strong individual character features create a truly fantastical worldscape. Deep otherworldly hues – purples, reds, and blues – bring this world to life.

Overall, a successful, fun, and visually pleasing first issue, with a hell of a lot of potential.

Rating: 3/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
[Click to Enlarge]