Now, even for a vampire comic, all of this is a little ridiculous.

Not only this, but their mastermind is none other than the 200-hundred-years (un)dead 2nd President of the United States, John Adams. See, the mentions of “Hell” and America’s undead past are not just metaphorical, as Killadelphia features an underground coven of vampires, which Sangster has now been turned into. Jimmy is assisted by sympathetic coroner Jose, and also by Sangster himself. Their past bitter relationship grips them like America’s wasted potential. Sangster is killed by the residents, leaving his son Jimmy to travel from Baltimore and pick up his case, more out of spite than anything else. Philadelphia is now shown as a corrupt and crime-infested place, detective James Sangster observing “Hell Hall”, once prosperous low-income housing ruined through the crack cocaine epidemic, “a cold reminder of what could have been”. Aside from the pun-title, it is the perfect location for Killadelphia, which tells a story of the American Dream turning into an undead nightmare. Killadelphia is a must-read.By Bruno Savill De Jong - Philadelphia was one of America’s foundational cities, home of the Liberty Bell and where Independence was first proclaimed. The issue is solid especially if you're a fan of horror or crime drama. Further discussion would get into spoiler territory so I'll hold back. This particular story would translate well on Netflix or even as a feature-length film based on the first issue alone. At the time of review, Killadelphia has been optioned as a streaming series, and it's pretty easy to see why. Most of the linework and colors have a dreamlike quality and it calls into question if the events described are even real. The art direction and tone of the issue are deeply atmospheric which is a credit to Jason and Luis. The plot apparently involves John Adams and a sect of vampires operating in the shadows of Philidelphia. After his father dies under mysterious circumstances Jim finds his father's journal and discovers an entirely new mystery. Killadelphia follows Jim Sangster, Jr., a man walking in the footsteps of his father, literally and figuratively. I reread the book today and it was so good I actually reconsidered alcoholism. Unfortunately, I was drunk while reading the book and didn't get the comic at all. Killadelphia comes highly recommended by a couple of sources I highly respect in comics Twitter and Youtube.

Killadelphia, Vol. 1 by Rodney Barnes