3 out of 5

It’s been a while since Bunn and Hurtt delivered the mini masterpiece of the original Damned upon us.  And many, many books have happened for Cullen between now and then, the majority of which, for various reasons, haven’t done as much for me as that series.

I could make up something about how Bunn’s earlier work may have allowed for more patience in its construction, or that they (thinking of Sixth Gun here, as well) were closer to the quick of stories that’d been brewing in the writer’s brain for some time and thus arrived fully formed… but, yeah, I’d be, as stated, making that up.  The only thing I can say semi-objectively is that Cullen’s writing has changed in the intervening years, and that change had me a bit worried about a new Damned ongoing, especially since ongoing versions of things that were great as minis (be it books, comics, or tv) tend to water down what was enjoyable in isolation.

At first, though, these pages were like a big hug.  Eddie’s gritty noir talk; Hurtt’s lush set dressing and characterization, now dolled up with Bill Crabtree’s colors; the opening of Eddie, throat cut, looking for someone on whom to pass off his death (which is his curse – and has given him his lovely scarred pallor) before Bunn flashes back to better times at Eddie’s Gehenna club was a well effected nod back to Three Days Dead’s opening, while at the same time acknowledging that series’ events for returning readers.

But some bits were equally off: Bunn’s dialogue explained a lot more.  The charm and magic of the original is in how well it worked without excess exposition, but every moment here had someone filling us in on what to think.  Along with that extra gabiness came chunkiness – Bunn’s habit of repeating phrasings in a way that doesn’t feel directional, just sorta hurried.  And as bits of plot came together, with the demons all hunting for an item Eddie’s old buddy, Pauly, may be in possession of, the various gang boss dealings and backroom conversations now felt like retreads of Three Days’ own mystery.

The ending of this first arc presented the dichotomy clearly: one aspect of it was perfectly bleak, in keeping with the world of the Damned, and one aspect was a stupid cliffhanger presented by characters who would have no reason to be all cliffhangery about it.  This latter bit is Bunn The Learned Comic Writer, scripting for the long term instead of, perhaps, for the best story.

I’m happy to be back in Bunn and Hurtt’s company, and despite my criticisms, I’m hopeful for the series.  It’s not as fresh as it once was; not because we’ve been here before, but because Bunn is a writing machine nowadays, and that taint is here.  But this duo did great things in Sixth Gun despite some similar hiccups, so let’s see where this goes.