Share this
Jerri Bartman continues to balance her personal life and her professional life, all while dealing with monsters wreaking havoc all around her! As Count Crowley learns more about being a monster hunter, she’ll have to battle her own personal monsters. Heavy is the head that wears…the cape?
- Story by David Dastmalchian
- Illustrated by Lukas Ketner
- Colors by Lauren Affe
- Letters by Frank Cvetkovic
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
Count Crowley Initial Thoughts
One again I find myself venturing into uncharted waters with a new comic book title. This is my introduction to Count Crowley and it’s interesting to say the least. There’s tons of one liners, dad jokes, and funny quips to go along with a main character that seems silly and goofy, but in reality…she’s dark, man.
Jerri Bartman, also known as Count Crowley, is dealing with a lot. She’s a recovering alcoholic. She’s studying to be a monster hunter. She’s trying to help save her brothers TV station. Is that about it? Not really but I think we hit the main point here! It seems like a lot of people are relying on her and the pressure that puts on her is crushing. In spite of that, she finds a way to keep thing light hearted with jokes. She is a fascinated character with a lot of relatability, even if she is living in the weirdest, most dangerous world possible.
What I Love About Count Crowley
Upon first reading I really didn’t pick up on much. I thought it was a silly, fun comic book for fans looking for something light and easy in a fun little horror narrative. The deeper I dive however, the more complex and nuanced the world and characters are. I’m impressed by David Dastmalchian’s ability to take this somewhat goofy, supernatural tale and give it heart and substance.
My favorite scene in the book is when Vincent is recalling the tale of Miriam Moses. It started out as a fun little ghost story, straight out of the world of Hocus Pocus, but takes a very drastic turn into legit horror. The art work over these few pages are awesome. Lukas Ketner’s visual storytelling goes from fun and campy to haunting, maybe even disturbing.
Everything Points To 8/10
“They” say honesty is the best policy. Honestly, my initial thoughts were that I was getting into a campy, surface level story cartoon with nothing of real substance, just fun. Do you know what else “they” say? Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. After a second reading, I found myself in the deep end of the pool and I’m not sure how I got there. David Dastmalchian is a great storyteller. Jerri is so much more than jokes and monsters. She’s a real person, and she’s written with care.
Lukas Ketner and Lauren Affe take a cartoonish art design, reminiscent of Archie, and evolve it into something more. Most characters look rounded, soft, and maybe a little dopey BUT it’s what’s going on around them and underneath the surface that creates an awesome contrast that brings it all to a new light. The colors are bright and rich, unlike most horror comics, but then again, this isn’t like other horror comics.
