Advance Review — Death Comes To France In ‘Corpse Knight’ #1
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
This first issue will feel somewhat familiar with girl losing dad and dad coming back to help her from beyond the grave. But this limited series has some interesting themes starting up here and has the potential to surprise us before it’s over.
Overall
8/10Daddy’s back! And this time he’s mad!
In Image Comics’ newest series, Corpse Knight, young Foy and her father do their best to avoid the Hundred Years’ War that is ravaging around them in 15th century France. Dad regales the young girl with tales of Joan of Arc as he teaches her how to defend herself.
It’s not war though, that catches up with the pair, as written by Michael Chaves. A couple of highwaymen make quick work of dad and set their sights on Foy. What they plan to do with her is thankfully left up to readers’ imaginations because the girl, inspired by Saint Joan, prays to God for a miracle. Whether she gets one is also left up to the reader. But her father is reanimated and protects the girl.
It’s unclear if Chaves wants us to believe in miracles or nightmares. One thing seems clear for right now — living or dead, family is family.
Matthew Roberts illustrates the limited series (along with some vibrant colors from Rico Renzi) mostly with success. Roberts does a good job of painting the picture of rural France in the Middle Ages. And his renderings of Foy give us a clear picture of her innocence, her youthful frustrations, and her faith from the first panel.
There are some confusing sequences, though. It’s unclear if we are flashing back to something that happened previously or if more time has passed than seems reasonable. It’s also unclear if it’s an art problem or a lack of narration.
Corpse Knight isn’t breaking a lot of new ground in this premiere issue. But with its themes of the supernatural and religion, it feels like it could take some interesting turns quickly.
Corpse Knight #1 — written by Michael Chaves, illustrated by Matthew Roberts, colored by Rico Renzi, and lettered by Pat Brosseau — will be available in comic book stores and on digital platforms on Wednesday from Image Comics.
