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Review: Touching Evil #1

Nemesis

I believe I’ve written this before but I think it bears repeating; there is an amazing amount of originality and quality in the indie comic book market.  Touching Evil #1, written and illustrated by Dan Dougherty (Beardo, Cosa Nostra) and now published by Source Point Press, is most certainly one of those titles and then some.  It is a compelling tale combining aspects of criminal investigation, courtroom drama, prison life and paranormal mystery in turn.

Dougherty’s ability as a storyteller and sequential artist is on full display in this series.  This tale can be a bit of a slow burn, but in the best way possible, drawing you in to an unfolding mystery that is compelling and thought provoking.  With each turn of the page, Dougherty weaves together his various plot threads with a master’s skill.  Ostensibly, this story is about Ada Mansfield.  Mansfield is a prestigious and talented defense lawyer suffering from a crisis of consciousness about the innocence and nature of her most recent client.  In point of fact, one of the opening scenes in the book is Mansfield’s successful defense of an accused murderer.  Returning to her office after winning her case, Manfield is instructed to speak to a prisoner in Briarcliff Prison on behalf of her law firm, a request she begrudgingly takes on.  This seemingly innocuous, if unwanted, act sets in motion a series of events that will drive the story as it unfolds in issues to come.  Meanwhile, at the prison, Dougherty establishes the power dynamics within the penitentiary.  In addition, Dougherty introduces Warden Nidmore and his “Ghost Block”.  This “Ghost Block”, the title of the first issue, is central to the plot.  The warden informs the “fresh fish”, new prisoners, that any prisoners who fall foul of his three strike rule are banished to the “Ghost Block”.  There, the warden states, any prisoner there dies a horrible death because of what is contained in one cell of the block.  It appears to be a fantastical statement but both the readers and the new prisoners find that this threat is taken very seriously by the other prisoners in the prison.  With the apparent legitimacy of the “Ghost Block” established, Dougherty draws in the reader and ultimately rewards that interest as both the book and the series go on.

Dougherty’s art style is simplistic and strong with bold lines and heavy shading.  I should clarify, when I say simplistic I should say minimalist.  Dougherty is frugal with is line work, reserving each stroke of his pencil for bold lines that precisely illustrate the story he is telling.  By providing nothing more than what is necessary, Dougherty establishes a stark tone that is in keeping with the unfolding story.  In tandem, the color by Wesley Wong is faded and understated with simple two tone shading, if any shading is done at all.  Normally I am not a fan of books colored this way but Dougherty’s strong linework and heavy inking provide the depth that may be lacking in the color.  Both the art and the color combine to ground the story and shape the emotion around the tale that is unfolding.

I am always surprised and flattered when I get to read indie books of this quality.  This story is incredibly well crafted and the book literally sucked me in with each turn of the page.  I think it can be favorably compared to other books I’ve read like Fantomas or From Hell.  Touching Evil’s slow burn, heightened tension and growing sense of horror are all present and done as masterfully as they were done in the series I’ve mentioned.  If you are a fan of those books, the paranormal or gritty dramas I would recommend you purchase a copy of this book.

Writing – 5 of 5 Stars
Art – 4.5 of 5 Stars
Color – 3.5 of 5 Stars

Overall Score – 4.25 of 5 Stars

Writing – Dan Dougherty
Art – Dan Dougherty
Color – Wesley Wong
Letters – Dan Dougherty

Author Profile

Nemesis
Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.

He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.
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