The second issue of James Robinson and Jesus Merino’s urban fantasy noir, Los Monstruos, released last month from Dark Horse Comics. After introducing readers to the monster city of Los Monstruos, issue two delves deeper into the overall mystery surrounding the whereabouts of a vampire named Yvonne Veil.

At the same time, Robinson continues to build upon Los Monstruos itself, much in the way he did in DC’s Starman with Opal City placing layer upon layer of character until he’s transformed a metropolis into a full member of the cast. I love how Robinson is able to wrap his readers into his settings and make us feel like we live in the narrative alongside his characters. Robinson and Merino introduce us to more of the power players in Los Monstruos, such as the crooked mummy gangster Ramses VI, as Perry Cutter begins to pull on the threads of Yvonne Veil’s life in Los Monstruos.

Robinson also embellishes and adds to Cutter’s supporting cast in this issue by introducing us to his former partner on the police force, Clyde the Man-Monster, who is still recovering from a bullet wound to the head that has affected his intelligence. The interaction between these two friends gives the reader more reasons to root for Cutter, who clearly cares for his ex-partner, and more reasons to wonder what this seemingly good man/werewolf could have done to have been unceremoniously kicked off the police force. Cutter’s good nature is further shown in his interactions with his vampire girlfriend Rosie, as the two bicker while they consider the Veil case.

This is shaping up to be a terrific noir mystery with all the classic trappings of the genre: crooked cops, gangsters, and a down-on-his-luck PI. Just two issues in and Los Monstruos has become one of my favorite current comics. Robinson is at his writing best, and Merino’s artwork captures his script beautifully. Merino’s monster designs feel fresh while also referencing the familiar. Some of his characters in the background are purely his own, and it’s fantastic to find something unexpected and crazy in each panel. Merino also nails the fantastical 1940s look of this comic from the clothes worn by the characters to the Art Deco architecture. A great example of this is Merino’s design of the diner where Rosie works that is clearly an homage to the Nighthawks painting by Edward Hopper.

We’re only two issues in and I’m hooked. Comic fans looking for a little neo-noir magical realism in their life owe it to themselves to pick up this book. Classic universal monster fans, too! Have your local shop add it to your pull list today.

Creative Team: James Robinson (Script), Jesus Merino (Art), K.J. Diaz (Colors), Jim Campbell (Letters)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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