I love Halloween and now that the fall season has begun the slew of new comics with a horror feel will start to hit shelves. Not always intentional but always welcome. First up; Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein #1.

Official description from DARK HORSE:
While dealing with ghouls dying all around him and his own mysterious illness, occult detective Cal McDonald encounters the Frankenstein’s monster, who needs a new set of eyes. Can a rich entertainer who claims to be the world’s foremost authority on the supernatural help the monster regain its sight?

This is my first introduction to Criminal Macabre even though the character of Detective Cal McDonald was created way back in 1990 by writer Steve Niles and you don’t need a lengthy exposition to understand who he McDonald is. He’s a rough around the edges, pill popping, shellfish jerk who also solves crimes involving the undead, monsters and ghouls of all kind. The Eyes of Frankenstein begins with a gathering at a birth of something horrific and tragic and then the story truly begins. Simple right? McDonald then meets with his partner, the undead, Mo’lock to discuss new case business.

McDonald’s paranoia and weariness of his job is readily apparent and his reaction to some “good news” Mo’lock tries to dispense is a perfect reflection of McDonald’s personality. We come to find out that monsters who don’t die easily and without a concise and concerted effort are now simply just dying and the cause is a mystery. They seems to be suffering from a bad case of abandonment, loss and hopelessness.

Secondly, McDonald must talk down Frankenstein’s monster from a hostage situation at a North Hollywood library. The monster is loosing his eyesight and reading is his only joy in a joyless existence. Simple right? Steve Niles writes with the commonality of a peaceful existence between man and monster. His treatment of McDonald’s relationship with police who wait outside as a monster tosses S.W.A.T. members through a library window is easygoing and matter-of-fact as it gets. But that’s part of the fun that Criminal Macabre seems to revel in. McDonald may be a selfish lout but he relates smoothly between the land of the living and of the dead and that’s the real hook of this title.

I don’t like to compare artists as I like to get a feel for each individual’s style but my first impression of artist Christopher Mitten’s work immediately led me straight to a Mike Mignola comparison. That jumped right of the page as I read. Now there’s worst people to be compared to and Mitten’s work does have it’s own differences such as his treatment of the faces as they tend to have more character in them and more playfulness. Those are all good things and his style suits the books theme nicely with it’s rough lines and dark shadows.

The first issue of this Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein plot line is mostly set-up, a lot of mystery and don’t expect a lot of back story which is fine by me and quite frankly is welcomed. Let me find out some things on my own and if I have to go back then even better. McDonald seems like a highly unlikable character but one well worth reading as his layers simply peel away when confronted by adversary. OK the book’s not “simple,” in the strictest definition, but it is simple to enjoy and fun while reading. Can’t wait to see what issue #2 has in store.

3.5/5