“Death Vigil #1” Review – A Triumphant new Beginning

The Run Down

After a little over a decade, comic writer Stejpan Šejić returns to his now-famed “Death Vigil” series with the new “Death Vigil #1”. Some might see returning to an old series as a risky move, but this feels natural. Some might say it even feels supernatural! So join me as we venture through this new journey of an old favorite in “Death Vigil #1”!

Writer, Letterer & Illustrator: Stejpan Šejić

The Writing

While returning to a dormant series like “Death Vigil” can sometimes be a challenge, it’s one that Stejpan Šejić is ready to tackle, and it shows. In an astounding 56-pages for a singular issue, Šejić manages to capture what makes the original such a fan favorite. From the humor and horrors to the action and violence, he’s off to a strong, brand-new start.

One thing that I wholly appreciated about this issue was how it started. If you’re a newbie getting into this series, then have no fear! Just right within the first two pages are a diagram showcasing the characters as well as a “previously on…” page. Both of these work perfectly to tell you what you need to know in a very succinct yet detailed way, and it’s beautifully done. Speaking of the characters, something I love about how Šejić writes is that he makes it very easy to tell who’s talking. Each character has a distinct personality, and it completely shows in how their dialogue is written.

As for the story itself, this is a very promising new start. Right off the bat, I felt very engaged and sucked in. That’s largely due in part to the enigmatic characters and the action. If you love the “Guardians of the Galaxy” type family dynamic, you’ll feel right at home here. The characters bounce off each other really well and act as the crux of this twisted tale, with this opening issue ending with a bang you won’t want to miss!

The Art

When it comes to Šejić’s art style, I’m personally a big fan. I don’t know how he does it, but he somehow manages to capture realistic body types and facial features in a stylized, almost cartoony way. At the same time, he keeps things looking rather gothic and dark, especially in this book. There’s an intense level of detail that comes with it, creating some rather nightmarish creatures in unexpected settings.

As for the colors, they’re very varied but not as bright or vibrant as some might expect coming from a comic book. Like I previously stated, the look and feel of this is very much gothic at heart, so a lot of colors come off as rather muted. I personally love that, but the look and style may not be for everyone, which is completely okay!

Final Thoughts

Stejpan Šejić’s new entry into “Death Vigil” is undoubtedly a risky one, but it more than paid off. In a great gateway into the series, Šejić managed to reintroduce these great characters to readers new and old in an utterly fantastic and fun first issue. If you see this on the shelves of your LCS, definitely pick it up if you feel it’s right for you!

Overall Grade: 10/10

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Comments

Are you a fan of Stejpan Šejić’s work? How excited are you for new “Death Vigil” entries? Let’s discuss in the comments below!