Publisher: Image
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Tony Infante
Colourist: Troy Peteri
Release date: Out Now
Price: $2.99

Sons of the Devil is a study in duality, and not just good versus evil, or truth versus falsehoods, although those realities are in play. The first juxtaposition: What does a Satanic cult in 1989 have to do with a present day grown-up orphan having anger management issues? That’s the core mystery behind Sons of the Devil.

After the protagonist Travis Crowe discovers one of his former foster mates murdered the killer calls Travis “the chosen one”. He reluctantly goes in search of answers. “I need the truth,” Travis finally says after avoiding it for most of his life. And the other question at the heart of Sons of the Devil #2: who were Crowe’s parents?

On one level the story is about the psychological impact of being an orphan, although Travis rejects the idea as an excuse to whine. “There’s only truth, no matter how s****y. The rest is bulls**t,” Crowe says during a group counselling session. Thus Travis Crowe himself represents the tension between Stoicism and emotion. Crowe accepts the truth, but grudgingly and with anger.

Buccellato’s script sticks to exposition, which at time feels too light. There’s not a lot of poetry or humour to be found in his writing; but then again, it’s not that kind of story. But given the noir-ish nature of Sons of the Devil #2 a few well placed metaphors would have been welcome.

Infante’s art is sketchy but with fine characterful faces, figures and backgrounds. Infante’s story-telling technique is impeachable. Peteri’s colouring goes for a flat look instead of airbrushed dimensions.

Sons of the Devil is definitely leading up to something big. And that’s a truth we can easily accept from this issue.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker