This review contains some spoilers for Kingdom of Murder #1, on sale now, starting at Crazy Cave Studios
One of the reasons why crime shows are so common on television is that they are a very elastic concept. Murders can be committed just about anywhere, so you can always find an interesting setting for the latest episode, because, really, all you have to ask is, “What’s a setting?” interesting PERIOD?” and then you just have to organize a murder there.
Of course, BECAUSE murder mysteries are such an elastic concept, there are tons of them, which is why you need more than just an interesting setting to make your murder mystery stand out, and luckily, Fred Van Slow, Chris Panda and Becca Carey provide more than just an interesting setting for this murder mystery, but the setting IS really great, which is in a theme park based on storybook characters, or, in this case, Kingdom of Murder!
Kingdom of Murder Issue #1 is by writer Fred Van Lente, artist and colorist Chris Panda, and letterer Becca Carey, and it shows an “actor” in a storybook-themed theme park that must deal with a masked killer killing other “actors” through reenactments based on the original Grimm fairy tales that inspired the characters (and if you know your Grimm fairy tales well enough, you’ll know that they tend to be very violent, as German humor, even for children, is generally dark).
Related
Murder Kingdom makes the most of its setting
A few years ago, Fred Van Lente wrote a murder mystery novel titled The scammerwhich was a murder mystery set at a comic book convention. I thought of this (pretty good) book while reading this comic, because in both cases Van Lente found a smart place to commit murder, but at the same time he spent a lot of time smartly. by digging deep into the setting itself. In other words, it’s not one of those things where, say, the murder takes place on a cruise ship just because it’s a novel setting, but because Van Lente also something to say about the decor.
In fact, much of the first issue is specifically designed to get to know both the main character, Tanith, as well as the workings and activities of the theme park where she works, Storybook Kingdom. Tanith gathers the courage to tell her mother that she doesn’t plan to go to college right away and wants to study escape room design (something the park l This actually helps, as there are so many interesting designs). characteristics of the park). She actually plans to stay at the park once summer is over, in part because her role at the park is to manage the rides, which allows her to avoid interacting with people for the most part, and she can simply work on his creations and pull a lever or two from time to time.
This plan is thrown into a loop when a guest attempts to spread a family member’s ashes on one of the roller coasters, and while it doesn’t go off during the ride itself, it explodes all over the place. Tanith. She has to go clean in the locker rooms, and while she’s there, she’s approached by a bigwig who needs a replacement Briar Rose, because the current portrayal of the famous princess (who is NOT THE BEAUTIFUL AT SLEEPING! It’s ANOTHER character (it’s a trademark!) was caught drunk on social media when she was supposed to be playing the character. Tanith therefore takes on the role of Briar Rose, just in time to discover the murdered corpse of her predecessor, arranged in a scene from Grimm’s fairy tales.
It’s a great hook, isn’t it? Chris Panda’s art is exceptional and the character designs are particularly good. Tanith is a very well-crafted character, which is important for a lead role. The colors also fit the book beautifully. Panda has a complete package in this issue (Becca Carey is a great letterer and she delivers her standard excellent work).
Related
Celebrating 20+ Years of Philosophers of Action with Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey
CSBG celebrates more than two decades of Action Philosopher goodness with an interview with Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey
Murder Kingdom also kills businesses
Van Lente allows the humor of the comic to come naturally, and with something like the “cast” in the famous theme parks, the humor is going to be there, because the situation is certainly absurd. Van Lente, however, smartly spends most of his more mocking material on the company behind the theme park itself, including the hilarious “cover your ass” approach to intellectual property (hence the note on the fact that Briar Rose is definitely NOT Sleeping Beauty).
However, once Tanith is in her role as Briar Rose, Van Lente and Panda do a wonderful job of showing the ups and downs of the role by showing how different people interact with her VERY differently, and you can see what a such character. empowering some people, but also someone to ridicule for others (and, hilariously, there’s also a dude who thinks she’s the person to complain to about certain plot holes of certain media depending on its role).
After spending the entire issue developing the world of Storybook Kingdom very well, when the murder finally occurs at the end of the story, you know so much about the characters and the park itself that you already know things aren’t are not going to happen one way. ordinary direction.
This is a fun, vibrant comic with lots of funny jokes and excellent artwork. This is a treat of a new series that you should definitely check out.
Source: Mad Cave Studios