Murder Kingdom #1

We're Doing A New Style

That’s right, we’re continuing the quick reviews. No more being all technical just playing it like I feel.

Murder Kingdom #1

This is very much Fred Van Lente’s style. Not good or bad, just is.

I will say that Van Lente’s approach is unforgettable. You don’t see botched tries at spreading ashes while riding from a roller coaster often. Let alone giving the feeling that so many minor characters are leading quirky lives of their own. The whole thing feels so lived in. Kids making memories, dumb questions that stick with people, obsessive compulsive trivia no one cares about!, cancer patients trying to look forward to tomorrow.

And the part that ironically sticks with me the most, the first victim being memorable in ways that relate.

I just got a bit confused on what the tone here is supposed to be. I mean opening on Sleep- (Trademark censor) Beauty (In The Woods!) with her newborn twins at her side umbilical cords and all gave me the impression that this was supposed to be a horror or a thriller. Especially with the dreary colors Chris Panda gives this opening.

Then the next page transitions with a scream! …Only to turn out to be because people are riding a candy mountain roller coaster! In brighter expressions and colors. That’s some tonal whiplash!

Most of the goofy scenarios like the park’s actors staying in character and a breakdown feels at odds with the more serious situation of a need to unionize and a serial killer.

Who is supposed to be doing things based on the goriness of the Brothers Grimm stories. Except- oh man…! I’m one of those compulsive trivia people nobody wants to listen to!

One thing that I really have to give credit for is how the first killing so memorable. She was the one who had a recorded breakdown while on the job. More than that she was handling the idea of getting fired it in a real way. She was confident in her acting skills, but the need for a union shows how frustrated she was with the park. But she didn’t seem to understand where it all started to go wrong. Honestly this is kind of relatable; feeling lost I mean. Makes her feel like a person and not kill fodder.

I should also mention that our lead gets the detective role in a way not a lot of people think of. An aspiring escape room designer!

All that I can say is, as much as I like some of the imaginative ideas, it feels like Murder Kingdom doesn’t know what it wants to be half the time. Either a scary murder mystery or an absurdist comedy.

6.5/10