There are a lot of ways to approach villains and really to make a good villain there is no one formula or system that works. Anyone that tells you differently is trying to assign black and white facts to an area that’s all grey. Stjepan Sejic’s approach is for us to get to know the villains of the story and it works incredibly well with his structure. Part of me wanted to say, finally introduces the villains, but again it’s a different approach. The results though are several villains that you’ll love to hate. We open with Lady Benes and Wulf, the once thought dead Sigil, heading to meet the King of the Necromancers. It’s an interesting meeting and it reveals a lot of what the story has been leading up to. On the flip side we finally get to learn about the beef between Bernie and Allistor. To be honest it’s a bit weak, but at the same time fitting for the story. The issue really shines in the latter half as the Necromancers openly challenge the Vigil, but what’s worrisome is that they’re very smart about it.
This issue answers some questions and sets the series up for a great next issue. It’s chatty, but I really didn’t mind since myself and I’m sure the other readers wanted to know what the beef between Bernie and Allistor was. They’re kind of like ex-lovers, but they’re kids are friends and now they’re stuck with each other and hating it. It’s a great dynamic for the series.
Sejic is threading together a lot of plotlines and I’m clueless as to what’s going to happen. There’s a preview for the next issue’s cover that’s revealing to say the least, but can I trust it? That’s the thing about Sejic’s writing, he’s intentionally misleading at times and so while I can see all the elements in play I don’t know how it’ll all shake out. I’m dying to know though.
The King Necromancer dude is awesome. That entire scene was fantastic, but the design and thought that went into him should be noted. At first he appears to be a giant demon/dragon looking thing. He’s humongous and intimidating, but then he opens his mouth and there’s the true king. The monster is an extension of himself and somehow this is scarier and more intimidating than the giant beast. This man basically lives in his own second throat… you don’t mess with that kind of creepy.
I’m already counting the days until the next issue. It’s going to be a big issue and it might just conclude the arc. I don’t know what the series is looking to run, but I’m hoping that Death Vigil will be on my pull list for a long time to come.
Score: 4/5
Writer/Artist/Creator: Stjepan Sejic Publisher: Image/Top Cow Price: $3.99 Release Date: 11/12/14 Format: Print/Digital