Comic Book Review: The Lost Boys #1
“Let’s see…Vampires Everywhere, Vampires in Ecstasy, uh…Vampire Lesbian Car Wash…”
The Lost Boys was an American classic. Joel Schumacher’s take on the modern vampire is one of the quintessential 80’s flicks. Everything from the fashion to the cinematography might feel dated to some, but to most it carries an incredible sense of nostalgia. But why is this relevant to a comic book?
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A recent trend has publishers buying the rights to these films in order to release pseudo-sequels and prequels that fans of the original films, and hopefully some newcomers, will enjoy. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01IO3Z91O” locale=”US” tag=”bounintocomi-20″]The Lost Boys[/easyazon_link] is the latest to enjoy such a revival. Thankfully, DC vet Tim Seeley is at the helm. The sense of humor that he and Tom King brought to their Grayson series is a huge asset to this comic. Like most 80’s films The Lost Boys was filled with plenty of “camp” and some corny dialogue. While those might seem like flaws they helped to make the first film such an endearing and unique take on the vampire mythos. Seeley’s partner in crime is artist Scott Godlewski, whose work captures the sense of fun that made the film so memorable. Together they begin a new adventure in this old story.
The overall premise for The Lost Boys #1 is relatively easy to comprehend if you’re a fan of the film. Santa Clara, California had a bit of a vampire problem. Now that Max’s nest is long gone the town is without excitement. Those that are aware of the vampire threat remain vigilant, training to become the warriors they believe they were destined to be. Others like Grandpa Emerson continue to search the streets for any signs of monsters. It’s a slow-moving issue driven by a lot of dialogue. Luckily, that’s where Tim Seeley shines. His pages feel ripped from some unknown Hollywood sequel that got shelved. Though he’s taking his time he does so to slowly introduce the same elements that capture The Lost Boys’ world.
One of the inherent problems with telling a story within an already established world is how much time is spent setting up the plot. Exposition can be tiring, especially when you already know what transpired in the original film. Seeley gives a brief introduction to the story before throwing us into the deep end. Unfortunately, this can easily throw off any new readers that might be interested. He spends very little time elaborating on anything from character’s motivations to the overall villain. This is first and foremost a gift for the fans of the classic, but to such a degree that the story is confusing for anyone without an old VHS or a great memory. Unfortunately, with a little more care and description The Lost Boys could have gained a newer cult following.
Scott Godlewski does his best impression of a late-80’s fantasy flick with some great pencils and colors. His is a lively and lighthearted style that emphasizes and focuses on the “campy” style, easily keeping the ridiculous tone of the original film.
However, Godlewski’s art is by no means dated. His character designs are almost pitch-perfect to the actors they emulate, down to the subtle distinctions between the two Corey’s. While his style clearly lends itself to simple layouts, more time could be spent on making the panels noteworthy or interesting. He manages to capture the ludicrous nature of the story but only captures it with minimal detail or ornamentation. Without any enthralling splash pages or significant villains The Lost Boys #1 can sometimes feel like a bland Hollywood reboot.
THE VERDICT
Tim Seeley is yet another DC success story. So it’s no surprise he’s trusted with updating a story that fans have thought long dead. For the most part Seeley succeeds. His particular sense of both humor and horror prove to be a good blend for this contemporary adaptation of the 80’s cult-classic. Unfortunately, [easyazon_link identifier=”B01IO3Z91O” locale=”US” tag=”bounintocomi-20″]The Lost Boys #1[/easyazon_link] story leaves few clues to get new readers up to speed. Nothing short of watching the original film will do to give context to the comic. While most readers will already be fans it’s unfortunate to see so little attention given to those who might be taking a chance on a new story. Regardless, Seeley’s script gives enough good material to keep artist Scott Godlewski busy. His illustrations capture the charm of several classic films with his simple designs and colorwork. Though his work is certainly pleasing there’s no great or iconic imagery to be found. Godlewski’s style is almost too simple, lacking the grit and detail needed for any horror story. Seeley and Godlewski had an uphill battle in both updating and continuing The Lost Boys universe. There’s still kinks that need to be worked out but the creative team are hellbent on taking The Lost Boys into the future.
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