Giant-sized Lori Lovecraft Collection. This trade paperback collects the short Into The Past, Back To The Garden,and VooDoo Mansion. At nineteen with her innocent beauty and body to die for, Lori Lovecraft had no shortage of offers on her quest for the Hollywood dream. But at thrity, without talent or clout she’s an aging has-been and the dream is turning into a nightmare. Her last chance is DAME IN DANGER, a no budget flick by cult director Derik VonVon, who’s looking to make a comeback himself. Unfortunately for Lori and co-star Allen Roberts, VonVon and his punk rock protege Natasha Reich have more devious plans. To escape this doom Lori has to seek the strength and knowledge from the one source she’s never had herself.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview attempts to blend Hollywood glamour with supernatural intrigue, but unfortunately, it falls short in execution. Despite its intriguing premise, the comic struggles with narrative cohesion, character development, and overall engagement.

The story in this preview centers on Lori Lovecraft, a former starlet navigating a world filled with occult mysteries. While the idea of combining the glitz of Hollywood with supernatural elements is promising, the narrative lacks clarity and direction. The plot meanders without a clear focus, making it difficult for me personally to become invested in Lori’s journey or the challenges she faces.

The character development is notably weak in this preview, Lori, intended to be a charismatic and complex protagonist, comes across as one-dimensional. Her motivations are unclear, and her personality lacks depth, making it challenging for me personally to connect with her. The supporting characters fare no better, often serving as mere background figures without significant roles or development.

The artwork in this preview, while stylistically distinct, struggles to elevate the story. The illustrations capture the noir-inspired aesthetic the comic aims for, but they often lack consistency and detail. This inconsistency can make it difficult for me personally to follow the action or engage with the characters. Additionally, the art style might not appeal to everyone, as it fails to effectively convey the intended atmosphere or enhance the storytelling.

One of the primary issues I had with this preview is its pacing. The story moves erratically, with scenes that feel disjointed and transitions that lack fluidity. This uneven pacing disrupts the narrative flow, making it challenging for me personally to follow the plot or maintain interest. A more structured approach could have allowed for better exploration of the themes and characters.

The dialogues in this preview are often stilted and lacks nuance. Conversations feel forced and expository, serving more as a tool for delivering information than for developing characters or advancing the plot. More engaging and natural dialogue could have added layers to the narrative, making the characters more relatable and the story more compelling.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5