Review: So Many Deaths, So Little Time In ‘Blake Undying’ #1

Blake is suicidal. He wants nothing more than to die. The only thing is…he can’t. It’s not for lack of trying. He’s gone through a few different methods and nothing has stuck. If there’s a plus side to immortality, he hasn’t found it yet…but that might be changing soon.

Blake Undying hits with a dynamite premise with writer Jason Cook laying the groundwork for this world and this character pretty quickly in this debut issue. The one downside to this is the overwritten introduction that comes at the front of the comic. It explains too much about Blake and his situation which is then explored within the comic itself. It takes the wind out of the sails of the story, kneecapping it before it even gets started.

That’s unfortunate because there’s a pretty good tale in here. We quickly get an understanding of Blake’s situation. More importantly, artist Ezequiel Rubio shows this in graphic fashion, whether that’s watching Blake choke to death or slit his own throat. The gore is over the top, yet fitting for the tone of the story.

I get a Fight Club vibe from Blake Undying, particularly with how down and out the main character is. He’s desperate and that’s going to drive him to make reckless decisions. That includes a showdown with a convenience store robber. When you’re immortal, who cares if the guy has a gun?

Blood and guts go flying in encounters like this. Rubio is joined by Jovanna Plata for additional colors, soaking these pages in a dark crimson. This is not a bright, vibrant shade. It’s a shadowy red full of despair. There’s a dark cloud hanging over the entire issue. The sun doesn’t rise for Blake so much as just invades his life in inopportune times.

There’s a lot to take in throughout Blake Undying, yet letterer Nikki Sherman handles this all in stride. The proper emotion is conveyed, especially when someone sees all the blood and carnage Blake can endure without keeling over. This contrasts with the measured, yet depressed demeanor of the main character.

Blake Undying is off to a great start. It has an undeniable hook that’s well illustrated, then just when you have a firm grasp as to what’s going on, we get a nice twist of a cliffhanger. I’m intrigued by where it can go next.

Blake Undying #1 from Digital Fiasco is currently available digitally through ComiXology.