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The Damned Vol. 1 #1
From the creators of THE SIXTH GUN! During the prohibition era, gangsters grew rich on our vices, and rivalries between criminal organizations resulted in open war. But unknown to the masses, a more sinister power controlled the crime cartels, using greed, gluttony, lust, and other sins to fuel a much more lucrative mortal souls. Three demon families—the Aligheris, the Roarkes, and the Verlochin—control soul-trafficking within the city, capitalizing on “the rackets” to lead unfortunates into their grasp and poor Eddie is caught in the middle… '
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2017
9 people want to read
About the author
Cullen Bunn
2,084 books1,070 followersCullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.
All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.
And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.
Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.
All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.
And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.
Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 16, 2018
I was provided a review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The story was well constructed but I couldn’t connect with any of the characters probably because they were all white straight men (or demon).
I don’t know, I guess this was written for men in the sense that the only women has no depth and a very small girlfriend part… It was pretty disappointing.
I liked the whole curse and demon thing though.
The story was well constructed but I couldn’t connect with any of the characters probably because they were all white straight men (or demon).
I don’t know, I guess this was written for men in the sense that the only women has no depth and a very small girlfriend part… It was pretty disappointing.
I liked the whole curse and demon thing though.
December 15, 2017
2,5/5. A comic book that mixed up demons, gangsters and a touch of humor. Reminded me of John Constantine a bit, but unfortunately it's not as good. The illustration are wonderful and perfectly my style so it was a good point for me. This book lost me with is story, a little too simple, too clichés, so I lost interest quite fast. Not a bad one, just not original enough in my opinion to get out of the mass!
December 31, 2017
I really really really liked this. I don't read that many comics or graphic novels but I make sure to pick up one once in a while, and when that one-time decision is so good, I'm the happiest reader on Earth.
Shit, looks like 2018 would be me over-dramatizing everything, oops!
Three Days Dead is the first volume in The Damned and revolves around everything mysterious in the underworld with horror twists at every turn and characters that seem real even when they're dead. The prime focus is on the mortal souls trading among Demon gangs and the usual whiskey trading among regular gangs, but soon the focus goes onto a missing demon whose disappearance is jeopardizing a possible crime families' merging. In order to find this demon, a dead human—'damned'—is revived. Now, I might be new to the party and the whole mortal souls being traded trope is used often in comics but it was interesting enough for me, especially when Eddie (the dead human who had been revived) is carrying a probable curse that would not let him stay dead for long. This little bit might be slightly confusing and some might not be able to follow, but the story still proves itself.
The Damned is a classic noir, certainly with quite a number of fatal killings and a femme fatale that I would talk about in a second. There are paranormal, supernatural undertones that don't go over the top and are perfectly maintained with the mortal criminal world. However, the overall picture might be a little too much for readers who don't prefer darker aspects in a story, so consider this a warning.
Moving on to the graphical aspect of the comic; it was amazing and I loved it. The illustrations are on-pint with each scene having it's own limelight, so a big shout out to the illustrators, too! I would take a moment to also comment on the consistent color scheme that the comic follows—dark blue, blacks and reds. All of them gives this eerie, dark feel to each graphic and doesn't let me out from the sombre atmosphere that the story offers.
However, one thing bothered me too much—one single female character in the entirety of the book and she's a seductive, gets-things-done-for-the-lead-male heroine that I'm not a particular fan of. I know it's almost impossible to expect anything else in terms of female leads from a classic noir, but is it too much to ask for, especially in a time where things are changing and change might be good? Anyway, that's the only side that let me down.
Shit, looks like 2018 would be me over-dramatizing everything, oops!
Three Days Dead is the first volume in The Damned and revolves around everything mysterious in the underworld with horror twists at every turn and characters that seem real even when they're dead. The prime focus is on the mortal souls trading among Demon gangs and the usual whiskey trading among regular gangs, but soon the focus goes onto a missing demon whose disappearance is jeopardizing a possible crime families' merging. In order to find this demon, a dead human—'damned'—is revived. Now, I might be new to the party and the whole mortal souls being traded trope is used often in comics but it was interesting enough for me, especially when Eddie (the dead human who had been revived) is carrying a probable curse that would not let him stay dead for long. This little bit might be slightly confusing and some might not be able to follow, but the story still proves itself.
The Damned is a classic noir, certainly with quite a number of fatal killings and a femme fatale that I would talk about in a second. There are paranormal, supernatural undertones that don't go over the top and are perfectly maintained with the mortal criminal world. However, the overall picture might be a little too much for readers who don't prefer darker aspects in a story, so consider this a warning.
Moving on to the graphical aspect of the comic; it was amazing and I loved it. The illustrations are on-pint with each scene having it's own limelight, so a big shout out to the illustrators, too! I would take a moment to also comment on the consistent color scheme that the comic follows—dark blue, blacks and reds. All of them gives this eerie, dark feel to each graphic and doesn't let me out from the sombre atmosphere that the story offers.
However, one thing bothered me too much—one single female character in the entirety of the book and she's a seductive, gets-things-done-for-the-lead-male heroine that I'm not a particular fan of. I know it's almost impossible to expect anything else in terms of female leads from a classic noir, but is it too much to ask for, especially in a time where things are changing and change might be good? Anyway, that's the only side that let me down.
I'll be recommending it to all those who are comfortable with dark, normal and paranormal, facets inspired comic with perfect illustrations to resonate along.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley but that in no way influences my rating and/or opinions about it.
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April 15, 2018
This book was hard to start with. I felt I was missing something important, a meaningful part of the story and had to reread some scenes in order to fully connect with the characters, but it was worth it. In the end, good Eddie surprised me. I cannot say I'm in live with the art, but I do say it matches the story. I already want to put my hands on the next volume.
Fue complicado empezar con este libro. sentí que me faltaba algo, una parte important de la historia y tuve que releer algunas escenas para conectarme mejor con los personajes, pero lo valió. Al final, el bueno de Eddie me sorprendió. No puedo decir que me encanta el estilo de dibujo, pero sí que combina con la historia. Ya quiero ponerle las manos al siguiente volumen.
Fue complicado empezar con este libro. sentí que me faltaba algo, una parte important de la historia y tuve que releer algunas escenas para conectarme mejor con los personajes, pero lo valió. Al final, el bueno de Eddie me sorprendió. No puedo decir que me encanta el estilo de dibujo, pero sí que combina con la historia. Ya quiero ponerle las manos al siguiente volumen.
May 9, 2023
Love the art, good plot/pacing
April 14, 2019
Read this one after reading the sixth gun (loved it) by the same creators. It's well written, the ideas are there, easy to read but I thought the characters did not have souls in them. The main protagonist is rather bland and not that interesting.
Update 14/04/19: One star lower, maybe the art is not my taste.
Update 14/04/19: One star lower, maybe the art is not my taste.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews