Gloom is a fantasy adventure comic book created by David Newbold.  Nick Nix does the inking.  Richard Nelson helped with writing and lettering and David Rivera helped with the inks in the earlier issues.  The storyline itself hits the ground running.  A powerful and tyrannical ruler named Gloom is sending his armies to sack the city of Nemrud-Dag.  Maddy, a young woman with a talent for deciphering the runes of the ancients, refuses to evacuate until she gets word from her father.  Suddenly two female warriors, Tess and Victoria, burst into her room claiming that Maddy’s Dad sent them. Which means she must leave the city before Gloom’s armies arrive.  From there it is an action-packed trek across the lands of this world to try and save Maddy and fulfill an ancient prophecy.  

The black and white artwork is detailed and engrossing for much of the first four issues.  It does appear that it changed styles and felt a little less clean in the final pages of issue #4. Perhaps that was simply just a small blip as we move to a new location.  The lettering also seems to change in issue #4 and although it’s not bad the lettering of the first three issues felt more fitting, although I will admit less stylized.  This leads me to believe that issue four may have been experimenting with new techniques.  Although I think it’s great to try new things, I felt that the first three issues had stronger art and lettering and the look of the book fit the story better.  

The world created for Gloom is complex and interesting.  It has fantastical creatures and rich mythology.  I was very much intrigued with it.  Newbold does a good job explaining the history of the world organically in the story.  Fans of ancient warriors, Dungeons and Dragons type scenarios and swordplay should be drawn to this book.  The female warriors are fierce and fearless.  The many foes they take down are impressive.  

My only real major complaint about them is that there is not much depth.  Now I understand for some this may not be a problem if you like your action warrior comics to be heavy on the action and light on the dialogue.  But I myself am drawn to more complex warriors.  Although the dialogue flows it doesn’t offer much insight into what makes the characters tick.  For instance, one character finds out someone close to her was killed and although we get a panel of tears streaming down her face we then quickly move on to more action.  Perhaps in future issues we will get a glimpse of her emotional state but in the ones, I read it seems she had moved on quickly from this tragic loss.  So, in many ways the characters become one note action stars that do daring and brave things and make quick work of the bad guys but don’t share anything going on in their hearts or minds.  In fairness we can just be slowly getting to know the characters over what seems like a long saga that is planned.

So, in summation, I think Gloom offers heroic adventure for those who seek it.  Those who love immersion into a fantasy world of monsters, magic and brave warriors should be satiated.  The first four issues promise a rich world to build off of and explore.  Although more could have been offered to explore the character’s inner workings it is still a promising start.

RORSCHACH RATING:

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and you are struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message or tweet to us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written and produced by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey. Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. Gloom is property of David Newbold . We do not own nor claim any rights.