Death Vigil: No. 1- Review

The family that slays together stays together.

I've said it before on this blog and I think I'll keep on saying it from probably now til my inevitable end. If I can look at a comic book (or anything else for that matter) and say "This is the sort of thing I would love to create one day!" then it will easily claim its throne among the others listed within my (fairly exclusive) all-time favorites pantheon.

When it comes to today's case with the Top Cow comic Death Vigil, there is a bit of a unique situation. This actually was something I was trying to create years ago, and still am to this very day. You see, about this time back in 2004 I began concocting a story shortly after watching all three Matrix films back to back. The plot focused on a group of characters who were of angelic, demonic, and human decent that were all working together to fight against Eldritch horrors from beyond the void. They were incredibly powerful and fun characters being led into this insane battle for all life in the universe by none other than the Grim Reaper himself. It was going to be a tale about heritage, legacy, and perhaps most importantly family.

Over the course of the last decade though a lot of the details and material for that story (now known as The Nexus) have changed significantly. It's now more of a science-fantasy epic that I would put in the realm of Star Wars, Saga, or Gold Digger. Nonetheless it is still somewhat surreal for me to see something like Death Vigil. For all intents and purposes this is essentially the original form of the story I was going to tell, and I couldn't love it more even if I tried! I'm not one of those guys who will claim that this comic ripped off my idea. Stjepan Sejic and I have never met before, nor have I ever posted any material for this idea of mine online. If anything else, I'm just happy that this comic proves how good of an idea this sort of thing is. Sejic has easily made one of the best number one issues that I've read in a long long time, and I can only hope that he can keep up the fantastic work!

There is a secret battle going on right now behind you. Not directly behind you in the literal sense, but behind the veil of the corporeal world. Immortal Death Knights from all over the world (and time) form the Death Vigil, and face off against the vicious Primordial Enemy; monstrous creatures from the deepest parts of reality that are bent on devouring all life in the universe. Are you gifted? Can you see the war being waged? The Vigil is always searching for new members as their conflict is only becoming more dire with time. Necromancers (who utilize the powers of the Primordial Enemy) are growing in number and looking to prep the world as a three course meal for Cthulhu.

As I stated earlier, this is easily one of the best number one issues that I've read in ages. Thanks in part to the double wide length of the story (clocking in at forty eight pages) the setup here is outright superb. Sejic wastes no time getting the reader into the thick of things by introducing the main characters, generating rules of the world, and establishing the core conflict of the narrative within about the first ten pages. Even before the halfway mark of the issue, character relationships are apparent, and mega powered brawls are already well underway. This is one of those rare times where I feel like aspiring creators should take notes. Death Vigil is a shining example of how to do an opening to an ongoing story right. Pitch perfect pacing helps keep this introductory tale rolling along nicely so that no scene ever feels like it takes too long, or is too short. It's all meat and potatoes here folks, so that by the time things do start to kick into high gear (which isn't long really) the reader is well informed of who is who, and what is at stake. I can honestly say that this book had me totally interested well within the first two pages. Sejic's writing is so brisk yet full of life that it is borderline flawless. His characters have conversations that make them feel like actual people, so much so that two of them remind me of people I know. Dialogue sequences are so good that they achieve that ever so coveted balance between sounding amazingly natural while also developing the characters, the world, or the plot.

Rock solid opening pages.

In regards to the art, I think the images above practically speak for themselves. Stjepan Sejic is in a league of his own here with immaculate levels of detail to the panels that almost no one ever draws. Every little bit of minutia one could think to have, Sejic pretty much does. From individual strands of hair, to the embroidery on Bernadette's (that's the Grim Reaper by the way) robes, not a single thing doesn't look like Sejic didn't spend a ridiculous amount of time honing to perfection. The funny thing about it all is that this isn't even the most detailed work that he can do. Sejic has worked on such other Top Cow properties like Aphrodite IX, Witchblade, Angelus, and Ravine. By point of comparison to these other books, Death Vigil is actually a far more sketchy looking piece, which stands as a testament to how awesome of an artist Sejic truly is. The characters all have excellent expressions and body language, and the more sketchy quality actually blends with the thematics of the story well. The pages never feel too bloated with word bubbles, and the panel counts per page feel appropriate. All of Sejic's work flows together to make a very seamless and unobtrusive experience. The splash pages are of special note as they are where Sejic really flexes his creative muscles and gives the reader something to nosh on. It's crazy knowing he did this entire comic by himself.

Overall, this is a rock solid first issue. I don't want to go into further detail as this installment does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but what a cliffhanger it is. The art and the writing are borderline flawless here people, and I think we can only benefit as readers with future chapters. Stjepan Sejic has clearly demonstrated here that he knows exactly what he's doing and that we can trust him to deliver the goods where it counts. I'll admit that there may be a hint of bias in my opinion on Death Vigil, but it's only because this is exactly the sort of comic I've been working on for the last decade. Without a doubt this personally stands as one of the best opening issues I've read not only recently, but perhaps ever, if only for the strong connection I have with the material. For those who may be curious, Sejic does have a Deviantart site here, where he has an extended preview of Death Vigil for all to read for free. You can see character sketches, and even some preview panels from future issues. Do yourself a favor by checking out this bad boy. Maybe you'll find yourself joining up with the Vigil! 

Positive Factors

• Rock solid opening to what looks to be a very entertaining story.
• Characters feel natural during dialogue scenes, and they actually build on the world and plot at the same time.
• Fantastic pacing. Nothing ever takes to long to happen.
• Excellent cliffhanger that'll get you revved up for issue two. 
• Gorgeously detailed artwork from top to bottom. Characters emote beautifully. 
• Panels flow seamlessly creating a very smooth read.

Negative Factors

• Not exactly Stjepan Sejic's most detailed work when compared to his other books.

Final Rating: !!!AWESOMESAUCE!!!