Blimey! London Gothic Has Sorcerers, Jesters, and Secrets…Oh My!

Looking at London’s lifestyle of the lawless underbelly in the limelight will lead to limitless possibilities to illuminate legitimate literature fantastically.

London Gothic is the all-new 88-page original graphic novel written by Nick Henry with artwork by Mike Burton. It’s the first of a four-chapter series. This is a classic Good vs Evil action-adventure horror graphic novel that recently received assistance through Kickstarter to come to fruition.

Set in London, Great Britain, an investigation on an abandoned wharf goes horribly wrong when suspicious characters seen lurking around the area attack local police. The inspectors on-site find themselves needing help from The Duke, Henry De Montford, and Jellico, his foul-mouthed friend. This sets the stage for the mystery that unfolds.

The plot is full of intricacies showing just how much thought was put into the story. The multiple storylines slowly build tension and intrigue without feeling overwhelming. The world-building is impeccable. As I turned each page I wanted to know more about this strange new environment. I enjoyed soaking up each page because of the clever directions it goes and the smart, witty dialogue.

The main heroes are two Demon Hunters that are likeable, yet flawed, giving them room to grow. The Duke is a Sherlock Holmes-type character combined with Van Helsing but with supernatural abilities. He’s charming and clever with his deductive reasoning. Jellico especially was always a joy to read. You never know what crass absurdities he’ll say next. I’m looking forward to getting to know them both as the story continues.

Lord Finnius Cromwell is the villain, a fearsome foe with a maniacal plot and malicious intent. He’s an ever-commanding presence whenever he’s on the pages. While little is known about him, this only adds to what makes him so scary. He’s foreboding and unpredictable with no regard for life to achieve his goal. His cruelty is matched by his intelligence, cunning, and magical prowess. He recruits Ponchinello, or Punch for short, a creepy court jester wreaking havoc on the city by abducting children for nefarious purposes. Can our heroes figure out what they’re up to before it’s too late?

The artwork is phenomenal. Each page is like a portrait. It doesn’t look or feel like a conventional comic book. Printed on thick, crisp pages, the art really shines too. The quality of how it simply looks shows how much time and care went into drawing it. The art style has that Gothic aesthetic but has a distinctive spin put on it. The innovative character designs provide each character with a unique look so it was easy to tell them apart. The simple line work is impressive. The attention to detail is astounding. Also, the variety used in the colour schemes is amazing. This contrasts the gore and other horror elements with great success. The Demons and other villains look menacing, giving off a real sense of dread to their victims. I ate up each page of eye candy ever so gleefully.

Overall, I can’t overstate how much I Ioved this book and look forward to future installments. Chapter 2 will be up on Kickstarter within the first half of 2023. If you’re a gothic horror fan or love dark fantasy then you’re in for a treat because of the smart, masterfully crafted story, picturesque artwork, and likeable characters. I highly recommend this. And remember, when things go bump in the night it’s perfectly acceptable to ask “What’s all this then?”

Grade 10/10

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