Killadelphia #10 Review

by Wes Greer on November 25, 2020

Writer – Rodney Barnes
Art – Jason Shawn Alexander
Colors – Luis NCY
Letters – Marshall Dillon
Publisher – Image Comics




With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I couldn’t think of a better time for the latest issue of Killadelphia to be hitting store shelves. Not because I’m relating the bloodthirsty vampires to myself, even though that’s more than likely going to be what I look like tomorrow jumping onto that poor unsuspecting turkey, but because this series is one of the few new books from Image that I am truly thankful for! If you guys follow my social media, you have probably seen me ranting and raving about this series and it’s creators and just how truly special it is. As a review writer, it’s hard to really sit back and enjoy a series without dissecting it and finding things to nit pick but Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander have truly created something so beautiful and terrifying that I can really sit my reviewer cap on the table and fully enjoy everything about this series. Today also marks the one year anniversary of the series release so please make sure to celebrate by posting online today and tagging both Rodney and Jason!  So, just like I’m going to do to that turkey, let’s jump into the latest issue! 

Writing – 

Much like the previous issue, Killadelphia #10 is primarily written to take readers back in time and give them a better understanding and foundation of one of the current vampire characters. In this issue, Barnes takes readers back to the core events of Fergus O’Neill’s life, better known as Toppy, which helps readers understand a bit more about the complexities of the characters and why he still holds onto a sense of humanity to this day that is addressed by Abigail in this issue as she states. “it’s something that he should have shed long ago”. As the story progresses, we are taken back to the current events where Philadelphia has gone dark following the events of the attacks from the vampires under Abigail’s direction. Barnes uses the current day part of the story to show how the strain between James and Jimmy has really gone astray with James upset about be awoken from his grave and Jimmy having trouble understanding his frustration. Barnes does an incredible job mirroring the real life complexities of a father son relationship and adds his own flair with the undead aspect playing in but feeling realistic at the same time which is one of the biggest things that really helps set this series apart from others. Barnes is able to pull from real life emotions and non-fictional characters and blend them with fictional elements that just really make Killadelphia special. Barnes does a great job transitioning between the two aspects of the story and progressing the story just enough to keep readers on their toes for what is to come in the final two issues of the arc. 

The art –

I know I’ve said this before, but I really, REALLY hate reviewing the art of this series. Jason Shawn Alexander is an artist whose work I’ve just fallen in love with over the last few years. Acter being really introduced to him from his work on Spawn and his creator owned series, Empty Zone. His art is really unlike any other comic art out there. When you are reading a comic that Alexander has done the art on, you get more of a sense that you are flipping through a collection of fine art paintings or a sketch book almost that was thrown together to be shown in an exhibit. Alexander’s character designs are hauntingly beautiful and the details of the characters are what really make them stand out and make it so as a reader, you have this fully immersive experience, being able to feel the emotions of Barnes story come to life through the art of Alexander. Everything about the art, from the character designs, to the settings, all the way down to the panels themselves,  amplify the story and make the emotions just come right off of the pages and you almost don’t want to pick up another comic book after reading Killadelphia. Add the talents of Luis NCY on top of Alexander’s art and you get the ultimate explosion of beauty and horror that the human brain can process. Luis’ colors are really minimal throughout this issue but the places they are used are really impactful at the same time. He creates the perfect blend on top of the original art that creates a cohesive look without taking anything away and adds the final wow factor to the overall art of the issue. Most of the colors used are from darker palettes but there is also a subtle amount of vivid colors that really pop out in panels, usually where there is blood involved or the characters eyes which tell their own stories. This art team is unlike any other out there and it’s just perfection all around. As a reviewer, it’s my job to really go through these books with a fine tooth comb and all I can find is elements that surprise me and make me even more in awe of the overall talent. It’s just perfection plain and simple and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. 


Overall, Killadelphia #10 takes readers on a deep dive into a grim past that comes full circle to set things in motion for a devastating future and the art team captures all of these emotions in a haunting yet beautiful fashion that creates a fully immersive experience for its readers that they don’t want to put down.

Killadelphia #10 is available today and is one that you are going to want to put at the top of your read pile. Make sure you guys let us know what you thought of the issue by leaving your comments below!

-Wes Greer
 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside