Review: The Dresden Files: Dog Men #1
Harry Dresden returns in this new series from Dynamite, this time as well as dealing with threats from without, he has to deal with threats from within, in the shape of the realization that he may not be able to save those he loves as “easily” as he saves others.
Signs and portents aside, this issue stars in an unusual way for Dresden fans, with the doubt of his actions casting long shadows indeed. So this then seems a perfect time to leave those concerns and those he is concerned about to go on a road trip with a member of the White Council! From there, its magical monster time, although there is a chance that the bigger monsters are the humans lurking in plain sight.
Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files has been a long-standing literary character and has a number of comics out in the past. Here, under the guidance of writer Mark Powers, Dresden comes across as a more polite Constantine. The thing is, Constantine’s arrogance and overall dis-likability, at least in the old Hellblazer comic, is the thing that makes him interesting. Without that, I am not sure that there is enough about Dresden to make him memorable. True, the issue alludes to a personal journey for Dresden, a conflict of man versus himself to some extent. The dog men of the title, therefore run the risk of turning into nothing more than a distraction.
Diego Galindo’s art carries the weight of the early action scenes in addition to the majority of the talking heads that accompanies the cross-country journey. Galindo has a trait that frustrates more than pleases with strong pieces let down by perception issues and a lack of details, especially prevalent in larger panels. Colors are provided by Mohan who delivers a solid job throughout the various phases of the story.
I am a big fan of Dynamite, their commitment to a diverse range of comics is one of their strengths, competing as they do with Dark Horse and Image. True, their range may stand on licenced books with the quality, at least recently, far outweighing and perceived weakness in having a licensed base. This particular file of Dresden should suitably please the coven of his fans.
Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Color – 3.5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
(W) Jim Butcher, Mark Powers (A/CA) Diego Galindo
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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