PopCultHQ Comic Book Review - Jack the Hunted #1 from Insane Comics

PopCultHQ received a preview copy of Jack the Hunted #1 from Insane Comics. Available now, the creative team for this new series features writing from Dylan Davison & Jasper Korneitchouk, with art by Renatus.

Here is PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of Jack the Hunted #1…

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review: Jack the Hunted #1

Explored from the perspective of the courtesans of London, Jack the Hunted is a modern day retelling of the Jack the Ripper murders set in an alternative universe where the victims band together and fight back.

Mary Kelly, an ex call girl, returns to London to visit her old work friend, Polly, only to discover that she has been murdered in cold blood by a masked figure. Distraught by her friends death, Mary decides to join the Sorores Noctis, a clandestine society of courtesans who live and work together in order to keep one another safe from harm and corruption.

One of the difficulties in reviewing comic books is the importance to be honest in one’s assessment. I always going into a review unbiased, unexpecting, and open-minded. My love for comic books, however, can potentially interfere with my opinion. There were times I wanted to give a review a higher star rating because even though they didn’t seem to put out their best effort, I had loved everything beforehand. There’s also the burden on a reviewer that a less than favorable review could be seen by creators and evoke some emotion. Any emotion. That being said, here’s what I thought…

Let me begin with what I liked about Jack the Hunted #1. Without knowing the story’s synopsis, you realize real quick that it’s a present day telling of Jack the Ripper. Regardless the fact that he was a murderer, this type of story always attracts people for its mystery, intrigue, and who-dun-it? This series could really grow into a manhunt by the “ladies of the night” against a shadowy cloak who’s been slashing up women in London. This is a great story for sure.

The artwork kinda threw me. For most of the panels are in black and white, there are instances where a splash of color is on a character, as if that’s a particular thing to notice as it has future connotations. Wasn’t sure if this was done a la Frank Miller’s Sin City. Perhaps there was symbolism in doing this, but I couldn’t figure it out.

There is potential with this series and I’d be curious how issue two will help advance the story.