Thrilling And Chilling — Reviewing ‘Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy’ #1

We open on a drearily dark, miserably wet and grim London in before zooming in on a macabre scene set, fittingly, in a walk-in freezer full of animal carcasses. There we are introduced to the lead of this new supernatural spy series, Daniel Burroughs, tied up, hooded and at the mercy of his mysterious captors. A scene broodily brimming with pathetic fallacy, shadows and mystery, straight out of a classic spy noir thriller. But with a supernatural bent. Welcome to Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy #1 from the creative team behind DC’s highly enjoyable and cerebral The Swamp Thing, writer Ram V, artist Mike Perkins, and colourist Mike Spicer, with Andworld Designs on lettering duties. 

What is revealed in the subsequent pages of this debut issue is Burroughs background, back in America, where his connection with his Native American heritage and the supernatural are established through flashbacks and exposition. All in the name of world-building, establishing a shady world of black ops and magic that works for the safety of the world as a group known collectively as the Black Tower. 

It is to Ram V’s credit that he builds this world effortlessly and effectively as the pace and action drive the narrative forward to the point we, the reader, are first introduced to. And its to Perkins and Spicer’s credit that they are able to translate Ram V’s scripts and dense dialogue into a suitably gothic and eerie otherworldly setting that sits comfortably within a reality sumptuously rendered in each panel by Perkins. A man with an eye for detail, mood and mise-en-scene. That same all-too-real horror vibe they captured in The Swamp Thing is on show here once more, but with sinister shadows swapped for vibrant forestry. 

As a first issue introducing a brand new set of characters to the reader, this one is pitch-perfect. Each character has their own voice, their own personality, no matter how short their time on the page, and it is clear that part of the intent for this series is to develop The Black Tower and future stories set in this fascinating new universe. Fans of espionage thrillers will not be disappointed, while fans of horror will likewise be enthralled as Ram V plays with clear, familiar tropes from both genres in a new way when spies meet magic.

As with any Ram V-scripted comic book, it’s a delightfully dense read, while Perkins provides the artistic equivalent in his stunning art. Whether that is capturing the emotions of his diverse cast of characters or setting the tone for the various scenes set in London, America, and even East Berlin of the ‘80s, Perkins and Spicer seem to work in simpatico with one another and with Ram V. 

Some familiarity with spy thriller and supernatural horror will draw you in, but it’s the fascinating characters — good and bad — and intriguing story that will have you coming back for more. Especially our lead, Daniel Burroughs. A young man with supernatural sensitivities and very much the fish-out-of-water through whose eyes we are encouraged to witness the unfolding story. A pair of eyes through which, like Daniel, we can learn more about this black ops world and the supernatural foundations it is built upon. A great everyman that grounds the story and straddles the worlds of reality and the unreal on our behalf. It all makes for a dramatic, thrilling first issue.

The Raven Conspiracy #1 is out now from DC Comics/Vertigo