Good as Dead #1 – A Town of Secrets, A Story of Fear

Good as Dead marks my first experience with David and Maria Lapham’s work, and I’m already hooked. Known for their dark, genre-blending stories, the Laphams waste no time pulling readers into the eerie world of Port Lindon in this double-sized debut from Image Comics/Skybound.

Mixing noir, small-town paranoia, and a creeping sense of surreal horror, the first issue sets a moody, unpredictable tone that’s hard to shake. Here’s a closer look at why this twisted new series might be one to put on your pull list.

Like I said at the top, this story pulled me in from the very beginning. We’re introduced to Professor Yao, who seems to have seen better days he’s coughing, sweating, and clearly not in good shape as he drives across the U.S.

border into Canada to visit his sister. In tow are a bunch of files, several hard drives, and a gun lying in the back seat.

“…Visiting My…Sister in Carleton.”

As he makes his way over the Emissary Bridge, something shifts. He pulls over, steps out of the car, grabs a gas jug from the front seat, and begins pouring gasoline all over the inside of the vehicle. Then, without hesitation, he douses himself with the rest of it. A match is struck. Woosh. Professor Yao and the car go up in flames, followed by a massive explosion.

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That was the moment I got real comfortable on my couch and fully escaped into the story.

As I kept reading, I was introduced to the rest of the characters in Port Linden. The pacing felt just right, never dragging or rushing. And the art by David Lapham fits the tone of the story perfectly. It keeps your eyes scanning each panel for clues, trying to piece together the bigger mystery.

OVERALL GRADE 9.7/10

By the time I reached the end of this 48-page first issue, I didn’t even hesitate, and I went straight over to Comic Geeks and added Good As Dead to my pull list. I can’t wait to read more, and if you are like me, you will like this title just as much as I did.