Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer #5 of 6
Image Comics
Jones, Fotos & Ortega

The penultimate issue of the series accelerates the Death Dealer's plight and pits him against the main villains. While, the Death Dealer's loved ones pursue him, there are other battles taking place turning the tide of the overall war against the humans.

This issue gives you a nice recap of all that has happened to this point and it's extremely helpful. The main group consisting of Adelia, Lambeau, Kelland and Drevoid are tracking down the Death Dealer. Some, want to try to rescue the "human" seemingly trapped in the body of the Death Dealer. While others want to aid the Death Dealer as he is on the side of life in this war and not death, as is customary. What with being known as the "Death" Dealer and all.

Meanwhile, the Death Dealer is confronted with the three-headed thing named, Dazaka. Dazaka isn’t fooling around. After knocking the Death Dealer from his high horse, Dealer gets mad.

As this is happening, the Duke's son, Rian and his men find themselves in a battle with some skinless wolves. We toggle between battles for a few pages and these are not for the faint of heart.

The Death Dealer wins. Why? Because he always wins. But, this battle helps along the birth of the super-demon. This thing is ugly as all hell.

Rian gains victory, but at great cost. The battle has helped deter he and his party long enough for the hordes to bring war to the city of Oro, their destination.

When Adelia and company find the remains of Dazaka, Drevoid tells them the story of the civil war of men killing their brothers. Apparently, this horde invasion is connected to the overall descendent of man.

We end the issue with the Death Dealer confronting the Mirahan super-demon. The odds look tough for the Death Dealer as Mirahan tears his horse in half. Things are looking grim for mankind and the Death Dealer.

Generally, the issue is great. It's artwork steals any hope of the story coming out of this. The Death Dealer is just menacing. The battles are simply gruesome and detailed to perfection. The humans have that dirty, beaten look to them. It's a dark setting with disgusting creatures. The artwork shows the grimness of what looks to be an impossible situation for all the protagonists. I cant say enough about it. I wish they had a gallery tucked in the back. Something like: "Highlights of the Death Dealer" and they could show him hacking up stuff.

The story has its problems. First off, the Rian part of the story feels like it has lost steam and no longer serves an overall purpose. Next, the hordes are basically absent from this issue, which leaves a feeling that war is over. Finally, the idea that Lambeau and Drevoid are so eager to take the Duke's daughter into the swamps looking for the dreaded Death Dealer makes almost no sense. Throw in that they are dragging along an orphan boy and it makes less sense. I don’t know what I would have done differently because I know you cant base the whole comic on the Death Dealer kicking ass, but something couldn’t been adjusted to keep some of the humans involved, but not over-exposed. They seem stretched out to areas that they don’t need to be in.

Generally, this book is great. I would recommend it for a newcomer for a couple of reasons: 1) the artwork and 2) there are more comics coming down the pike involving this universe. I honestly cant wait for the conclusion and the other arcs to hit the shelves. However, I am a little disappointed with the story layout. Maybe it will all tie up neatly in the end.

3.5 out of 5 geek goggles.