Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand 4.5 of 5 Stars
WARNING This review may or may not a contain spoiler READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
LOBSTER JOHNSON: The Burning Hand #1
Published by Dark Horse
Cover Price: $3.50
Created By: Mike Mignola
Art: Tonci Zonjic
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Clem Robins
Cover: Dave Johnson
Variant Cover: Mike Mignola w/Dave Stewart
Designer: Tina Alessi
Editor: Scott Allie
Assistant Editor: Daniel Chabon
Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand is told in a time not that long ago but long enough where most people today were not alive. The Roaring Twenties just came to an end and “talkies” were becoming the big thing in movies.
The story begins with a couple leaving the movie theatre and debating actors in talkies when they find a man in distress; he is tied to a light post and has been scalped. As no good deed goes unpunished the two try to help the victim and are attacked by Indians. That’s right Indians in New York City.
In what looks like it will be the last minutes of their lives for the two do-gooders they are rescued by a masked man who ends up killing the Indians (and leaving his mark). The story now follows Cindy a reporter for the Herald Tribune as she tries to piece together what is going on.
The story is unique in the fact that it combines several different themes in one, there are Indians (western), mystery, the mafia, and of course superhero. All of these in the past have been popular at one time or another, but Dark Horse has the all combined into one.
Who is the masked man, why is the mafia involved, and what is that strange mark on all the dead Indians? We will have to keep reading, like any good continuing story you are left in suspense and waiting for issue number 2 (of 5). This is a series that I will be reading from beging to end. The art work is strong and has the old school feel to it. Mike Mignola did an excellent job with keeping reader interest and turning the page.