Z-View – The Black Beetle: “Night Shift” #0 Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla
The Black Beetle: Night Shift #0 is a collection of three Black Beetle episodes that originally appeared in Dark Horse Presents #11–#13 and will lead into the Black Beetle: Night Shift four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.
Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla
When a powerful totem of dark magic shows up at the Colt City Natural History Museum, Hitler sends his fearsome Werwolf Korps to collect the piece. Unfortunately for the führer, Colt City’s protector, the Black Beetle, is on the case!
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good
- Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
- Night Shift is set in 1941 and the bad guys are Nazis.
- Cliffhanger on page 7 leading in to full page 8 splash.
- “I’ll take care of this.”
- Who is the mysterious leader of Werewolf Korp?
- Love Francavilla’s art and colors.
- The Black Beetle’s plan to turn the tables on the Nazis.
- The cliffhanger on the last page of the story.
- Bonus “title cards” after the story created by Francesco Francavilla.
The Bad:
- 1941 Nazis.
- Black Beetle’s exposition to Dr. Howard — “It’s a long story but — due to the current situation I’ll give you the short version…” [great summary and fits the feel of the 1941 pulp comic but a bad time to be talking about it]
- Adolph Hitler’s Werewolf Korp. Hitler, Nazi’s and the Werewolf Korp. It doesn’t get much worse that than in 1941. Ulp – it just did. Who is their hooded leader?
The Ugly:
- Being around to hear a Nazi say, “Keine Zeugen.” <“No witnesses.”>
Black Beetle: Night Shift #0 was a blast.
Rating:
