DAMNED

“The Goddamned” #1 kicks off with a bloody introductory chapter as Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera adapt the Christian Bible flood myth, where hardened men rely on either zealotry or brutality to survive. Together, the team that brought fans “Scalped” walks readers through their concept, showing readers what to expect in coming installments while displaying the artist’s strengths with up-close and intense imagery. This debut is fast-paced and full of savage action. “The Goddamned” gives readers a glimpse into a very different interpretation of this myth. This is a time before the first flood, characterized in Genesis as “filled with violence,” and the creative team abides by that description. Wanton cruelty and reckless abandon litter a desolate and vast terrain filled with strange monsters and evil men. The story of the flood — an early and recurring apocalypse tale across many mythologies — was a cleansing act, an attempt to retcon humanity, and Aaron gives fans every reason to want to

One has to wonder if writer Paul Cornell and artist Tony Parker lived a past life as bandmates in a 1970’s era rock band; though their portrayal of such a group may or may not be realistic, it’s certainly convincing in “This Damned Band” #1. The fictional band Motherfather is a successful quintet of diversely-personified musicians who publicly praise the occult in interviews and their music, but only support it as part of their act. The title of the comic implies some consequence to that persona, and Cornell begins to address that late in the issue; however, the strength of this introduction is the characterization of the band members and supporting cast and the story’s immersion into the scene of the day. Parker and colorist Lovern Kindzierski guarantee at least a peek at the contents inside with the psychedelic, stylistic black light poster cover, which is largely word art but eye-catching to both those familiar with this era as well as anyone who isn’t colorblind. The credits page