REVIEW: 'Black's Myth: The Key to His Heart' #1 by Eric Palicki and Wendell Cavalcanti

 

BLACK'S MYTH: THE KEY TO HIS HEART #1

Writer: Eric Palicki

Artist: Wendell Cavalcanti

Letters: Rob Steen

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Release Date: June 21, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

It's back, the "moody tale that smartly blends familiar supernatural elements with the trappings of classic pulpy crime stories" (Comics Beat). In this new case, werewolf private eye Janie "Strummer" Mercado tries to prevent a young girl from becoming a monster, with the aid of her suave djinn assistant Ben Si'lat. But will Strummer gain an intern instead? And why is an old enemy sending mysterious packages to her house? Featuring a cover by Liana Kangas and an incentive cover by Tim Seeley.

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: The first arc of 'Black's Myth' was an unexpected joy as readers were introduced to LA-based werewolf detective Strummer Mercado and her Djinn assistant Ben Si’lat in an entertaining supernatural mystery series. The new arc 'The Key to His Heart' begins with Strummer locating a runaway who also happens to be half-demon. Worried about her inevitable transition, she takes her under her wing. Meanwhile, the antagonist from the last arc, Rainsford Black, doesn't appear to be done with Strummer just yet. This entire series has a vibe that's certainly enjoyable and easily irresistible because of Eric Palicki's snappy dialogue and character-driven action. The story is more focused and confident than the last but the noir crime drama trappings remain especially with Wendell Cavalcanti's dark heavy-handed black-and-white designs. As good as the set-up is, the central characters Strummer and Ben make this worth the read. I liken it to detective shows like 'The Rockford Files' and more recently, 'Justified' where the main characters drive the show with humor and smarts that keep people glued. The supernatural aspects supplement the story without using it as a crutch for storytelling. 

'Black's Myth: The Key to His Heart' is another exciting mystery driven by engaging characters in a modern noir detective story.