Comic Book Review: Penny Dreadful #3
Jorge Arenas
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Continuing down the path set forth in the previous issue, we get a powerful glimpse into the mind of Mina’s father, Malcolm. In this issue of Penny Dreadful, we are sent on an expedition down into Africa as Malcolm searches for the fabled source of the great Nile River. He not only discovers horror, but experiences great tragedy. The tone of the story continues to use Romantic Era themes as we travel through a flashback into the mind of Mina’s father. You aren’t treated to his complete backstory, but it gives us a good look into his character and personality.you The story is quite similar to the search for Frankenstein’s monster as the great doctor searched in the arctic for his creation. Even the request of Malcolm’s local slaves is extremely similar to Victor’s crew’s request to return south.
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B01ES71D42″ locale=”US” tag=”bounintocomi-20″]Penny Dreadful #3[/easyazon_link] written by Andrew Hinderaker picks up the story in the heart of Africa, where he gives a detailed view of Mina’s father. Hinderaker brings you right into the journey;you are walking the trails, and sleeping under the stars. You get to see the entire memory from Malcolm’s own perspective, which allows you to look back on the previous issue and better understand his own actions. One that stands out is his ability to stand tall against creatures of the night.
Hinderaker makes excellent use of the flashbacks as a means to temporarily pivot the story to convey information that normally would be difficult to do. He does this by not only taking you to another time, but also brings you right back into the present. It flows extremely well. However, these flashbacks do sidetrack you from the main plotline and leave you hanging when it comes to the hunt for Mina.
Louie De Martinis continues to provide us with art that captures your eye. Louie De Martinis’ ability to use detail, and the lack of detail at critical moments is extremely enjoyable. Such as in page four there is a noticeable that the characters lack important detail, but in my opinion this shows that this is Malcolm’s memory which, for most of us when we reminisce, it does come out hazy. He continues to use this haze until we’re brought back to the present, in the search for Mina. With this in mind his use of shadows at night gives you even more visual information to guide them as they are in the story. The combined efforts of Andrew Hinderaker’s writing, and Louie De Martinis’s art provides you with Penny Dreadful issue that is highly engaging.
The Verdict
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01ES71D42″ locale=”US” tag=”bounintocomi-20″]Penny Dreadful #3[/easyazon_link] is like one great reminiscing dream. You experience the dream like sensation in both the writing and the art. Andrew Hinderaker is able to not only pick up right from the previous issue, but he takes his time to flesh out Malcolm allowing us to see his personality shine through. Louie De Martinis continues his excellent work with the art. As the tone and style of the story changes, so does the art. The use of shadows and details brings to life the dialog and story.
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