BLACK STAR #1 Review: Titan Comics Delivers Gothic Fantasy Fire

WEEPPPAAAA! Now THIS is how you walk into a comic shop and make people stop mid-conversation. You know that feeling when you pick up a first issue expecting the usual “here comes another origin story” routine, then suddenly the book grabs you by the collar and says, “Nah, sit down. We got something darker to show you.” Yeah. That’s BLACK STAR #1.

Titan Comics’ new gothic fantasy series wastes no time building a world where history, horror, and magic crash together like two trains running full speed in the middle of a snowstorm. Written by Kristin Kreuk, Peter Mooney, and Eric Putzer, BLACK STAR drops readers into the early nineteenth-century fur trade, where rival factions battle for survival and power. But underneath the politics, violence, and frozen wilderness is something far more dangerous: magic that could reshape humanity itself. And let me tell you something, fam… this book has vibes. Heavy vibes.

Our protagonist, Dashiell Carlyle, is not introduced as some perfect chosen-one superhero walking around with a glowing destiny sticker on his forehead. Thank goodness. Comic shops are overflowing with those dudes right now. Dash is thrown into chaos, forced to discover that the impossible is real and that he possesses abilities he never understood. His journey is less “I have arrived” and more “What in the world did I just become?” That uncertainty gives the character some real weight. Because here’s the thing about power: everybody wants it until they realize power comes with a bill attached. And BLACK STAR understands that.

The story’s biggest strength is the moral question sitting underneath all the magic. The secret order that discovers Dashiell claims they want to use their abilities to create a better world. Sounds good, right? Everybody loves a better world. But history has shown us plenty of people who said they were building paradise and somehow ended up creating nightmares with fancy uniforms. That tension gives the book its hook. The writers are clearly playing in that dangerous sandbox where the line between hero and villain gets blurry. Are these people trying to save humanity? Or are they simply another group convinced that their vision matters more than everyone else’s freedom? That is the kind of question that keeps readers turning pages.

And Joe Bocardo? My goodness. The artwork is bringing serious heat. This dude understands atmosphere. BLACK STAR is not a bright, shiny fantasy adventure where magic sparkles like a Saturday morning cartoon. Nah. This world is cold, brutal, and mysterious. The snowy landscapes feel endless. The wilderness feels alive. Every shadow looks like it might be hiding something with teeth. Bocardo’s character work is especially strong. Faces carry exhaustion, fear, anger, and regret. These characters look like they have survived things before the first page even begins. The action scenes have impact because the violence feels physical. When somebody gets hit, you feel it. When magic appears, it feels dangerous.

The opening pages immediately establish a haunting mood, and the artwork does a great job balancing historical realism with supernatural horror. There are moments where the book feels like a dark period drama, then suddenly it swerves into nightmare territory. That contrast is where BLACK STAR finds its identity.

The colors from Valentina Bianconi deserve major love too. This book could have easily become a gray, muddy snow-fest, but the color palette creates emotional shifts throughout the issue. The warmth of certain scenes clashes beautifully against the frozen wilderness. The magical moments stand out without feeling like they belong in another comic. Everything feels connected. And let’s show respect where respect is due: Dave Lentz’s lettering helps sell the tension. Comics are a team sport, people! The dialogue, captions, sound effects, and visual rhythm all work together. The creative team is firing on all cylinders here.

One thing I really appreciated about BLACK STAR #1 is that it does not rush. It trusts the reader. It builds mystery instead of throwing every answer at your face like somebody yelling spoilers in a movie theater. You know those people? The ones who tell you the ending before the opening credits finish? Yeah, nobody likes those folks. 😂 This issue plants seeds. It introduces the world, establishes the conflict, and gives us enough questions to make us hungry for issue #2.

Now, keeping it real, the biggest challenge for BLACK STAR moving forward will be balancing the mythology. The foundation is strong, but this universe clearly has a lot of moving parts. The secret order, the magical history, the political conflict, and Dashiell’s personal journey all have potential. The next issues need to continue giving characters emotional depth while expanding the larger mystery. But for a first issue? Yo… they came ready.

BLACK STAR feels like somebody mixed historical adventure, gothic horror, and fantasy mythology, then threw the whole thing into a comic book blender with the settings stuck on “danger.” WEPA! Titan Comics continues showing that they are willing to bring readers unique worlds, and BLACK STAR is another example of why original stories still matter. In a comic market filled with endless reboots and familiar faces, sometimes you need a book that walks through the door carrying a completely different energy.

BLACK STAR #1 is cold, creepy, ambitious, and packed with potential. It’s got mystery. It’s got monsters hiding in the dark. It’s got characters wrestling with power and purpose. Most importantly, it makes you want to come back. And that right there is the job of a first issue. BLACK STAR has entered the arena.

Now let’s see how bright this dark star burns. ⭐🔥

CRUSADERS SCORE:
4.5/5

Writers: Kristin Kreuk, Peter Mooney & Eric Putzer
Artist: Joe Bocardo
Colorist: Valentina Bianconi
Letterer: Dave Lentz
Project Coordinator: Heath Amodio
Editor: Jake Devine
Designer: Dan Bura
Publisher: Titan Comics