Damn Them All returns with a new arc! Ellie has a lot on her plate as she has to deal with the fallout of events that were caused by her dead uncle Alfie. Although dead, there are secrets that lie with Alfie that many of Ellie’s enemies seek that could bode ill for the world of the living. And there are shadows of Ellie’s past that await her in the present. What is it that everyone wants from Alfie’s body? What is far worse than demons?
Spurrier kicks off this new arc with a bang as past and present collide in unsuspecting ways. After the events of the previous arc, Ellie is worse for wear trying to hold it together despite alienating those closest to her to stop the 500 Club. There is a ton of mystery that brings Ellie deeper into the darkness, making a shred of light seem just as dim as the dark itself. Spurrier finds new ways of putting Ellie in predicaments that test her wits, and skills, while also displaying how developed she has become as a magic user since the beginning of this series. Beneath all of the magic, and horror, there is some great character study on Ellie’s past and how it has made her into the kind of person that she is, and what that entails for her present. The writing is paced well, taking time to dive deep into character study while keeping on task with the main story, which holds equal interest all around.
Charlie Adlard illustrates this book and reminds readers why he is such a great fit for this series since the beginning. His page layouts and visual storytelling abilities between panels is well illustrated and clear. There are some comedic moments and some disturbing moments that only feel appropriate and well handled under Adlard’s linework. Coupled with Sofie Dodgson’s colors and Jim Cambell’s spellbinding lettering, the entire art team continues to make this book ooze with the very darkness and mystery that they’ve established since the beginning of this series. With the series returning for another arc, it holds promise for more mystery, horror, twists, and turns that make it worthwhile. It’s one of the few books that feels akin to what Vertigo used to be when it existed as imprint and is worth adding to your pull list for new comic book day.
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