BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz and Tim Hamilton / Z-View

BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz (writer) and Tim Hamilton (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Detective Billy O’Connor suffers from PTSD.  His time in Afghanistan took a heavy toil.  O’Connor has occasional hallucinations and blackouts.  He’s been able to keep it together, but things that trigger episodes are becoming more frequent.

Detective Nadira Hasan is O’Connor’s partner.  She’s aware of O’Connor’s issues, but has his back.  They’re a good team.  That’s why they get the assignment when a serial killer begins leaving gruesomely mutilated bodies in public places.

As O’Connor and Hasan work the case, O’Connor’s visions begin to change from Afghanistan to terrible images from Brooklyn’s past.  He’s seeing things that make no sense, but are somehow connected.  O’Connor thinks a psychic may have some answers.  When O’Connor tells Hasan, she’s skeptical.  But as bodies pile, up, anything is worth a shot.

As O’Connor and Hasan get closer to the killer, he turns his sights on them.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I knew Paul Levitz from his days as a writer and editor for DC Comics.  I liked his one sentence summary for BROOKLYN BLOOD: In Brooklyn, a serial killer is on the loose–and when strange clues lead down a paranormal path, a detective confronts his inner demons to solve the case.

I wasn’t familiar with Tim Hamilton’s art, but that’s what got me to pull the trigger on the purchase.  His storytelling is straightforward with interesting camera angles.  I especially love Hamilton’s inking.  He has an open art style, then comes in with bold inks.  He’s great at spotting blacks and creating a page that pops.  I definitely will keep my eyes open for more from Hamilton.  I’d love to see him take on additional crime/noir stories.

BROOKLYN BLOOD definitely leans into the paranormal aspect of the case with Lovecraftian monsters showing up at the end of the tale.  If that’s you’re thing, you’re going to like the story even more than me.  I was entertained and enjoyed the ride.

BROOKLYN BLOOD by Paul Levitz (writer) and Tim Hamilton (artist) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Rating: