Review: Chibi Muerte #1

An eerie, yet colorful and charming introduction to the Chibi Land of the Dead.

In the first half of Chibi Muerte #1, JBV tells the story of two twin Goddesses and how and why they made the Land of the Dead, called the Twilight Dimension. Lady Katrina, the Goddess of Compassion and Lady Maria, the Goddess of Love, one day were moved by the sadness on Earth as a result of people dying, so they decided to make a dimension where spirits can live in between the World of the Living, and the World of Eternal Sleep. They also assigned tasks and decided who gets to have knowledge of the purpose of the Twilight Dimension.

In the second half of Chibi Muerte #1, we are introduced to the Guardian Squad, a team of Chibis who are responsible for order in the Twilight Ream, 800 years after it was created. Also we get a follow on story as to what happens in the Realm. Juan and Cactus Cat of the Guardian Squad are introduced, as well as the villain Mistress Bones, as well as the 1st appearance and creation of Lady Muerte.

The interiors, drawn by Maggie Z are phenomenal and feels more like an experience than a comic, with a hint of magical realism, supported by colors from Rudy Perez Jr. Even the feel of the exterior of the book doesn’t feel like a comic. The comic is made out of really good card stock, making it feel almost sacrilegious to handle.

In the second half, the story is structured as a nonlinear narrative, which can leave you disjointed because it jumps right in on new characters, but thanks to the simplified lettering by Mike Ruiz, it didn’t I am a little puzzled as to how Frida is a side character.

I find myself wondering how has this not been optioned yet? What a marvelous kick-off introduction to the Underworld of the Chibi property. I am struck with the ease at which the MythGlobal creative team, was able put such difficult macabre subject such as death and translate it into everyday language, of hope and compassion. Towing the line between the funny and the frightening, Chibi Muerte pulls it off with unvarying taste, skill, and charm.

Chibi Muerte comes in 4 different collectible covers: Cover A: 2019 ”“ Issue#1 Regular Cover drawn by Maggie Z; Cover B: 2019 -Issue#0 Chibi Muerte Emerald City Comic Con 19”² Regular, Limited to 250 copies; Cover C: 2019 -Issue#1 Phoenix Fan Fest 19”² Regular, Limited to 250 copies; Cover D: 2019 -Issue#0 Chibi Muerte Emerald City Comic Con 19”² Foil cover, Limited to 25.

SCORE:

Created by: JBV
Edited by: Vy Vang
Art by: Maggie Z
Letters by: Mike Ruiz
Colors by: Maggie Z and Rudy Perez Jr.
Story by: Jean-Binh Valente