Dead Man's Run #1

So what happens after you die?

It's a great question - the ultimate question - and one we (probably) won't know the answer to until it's our turn.

It's a favorite playground for books, television, movies and (especially) comic books. Virtually every hero has been "dead" at least once in his or her career. (Oh, if you're looking for a good movie, try Albert Brooks' Defending Your Life. Great flick.)

It's the topic of this post is the new comic from Aspen, Dead Man's Run.

Written by Greg Pak (whose work I loved on the Incredible Hulk), this comic focuses on a man named Sam Tinker, a prison guard who cares deeply for his sister Juniper.

A surprising series of events (not to be spoiled here) results in death, and Sam finds himself in the worst prison imaginable - hell itself.

Can he escape? Was he drawn there for a reason? What happened to his sister? And most importantly, can he survive?

Those of some of the questions raised, and to tell more would be wrong. The story has a definite Lost feel to it (high praise indeed), as we care about this brother and sister and wonder what will happen next.

The art is by Tony Parker, and it's very, very good. He has a nice style of his own, with clear storytelling, some great flourishes and a dark, compelling design for the afterlife.

The mystery is set, the characters are interesting and in place, there's danger and action aplenty (though no superhero costumes to be seen) - I can't wait to see what happens next.

That's what I call a great start!

Grade: A-

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