Writer - John Harris Dunning and Steve Orlando
Artist - Alessandro Oliveri
Colorist - Francesca Vivaldi
Letterer - Fabio Amelia
Publisher - Dark Horse Comics
Ripperland is a synthesis of historic Victorian England mixed with modern technologies placed in a turbulent society in 2188 where the crime stretches longer than the truth. The narrative introduces readers to a futuristic London complete with full Victorian Era trappings artfully accentuated with the fashion and architecture of the time while completing the picture with the revival of traditional crafts and a rejection of many of the technological innovations of today such as cell phones.
Steve Orlando and John Harris Dunning create a gripping tale of crime, treason, and redemption that follows detective Edwin Fogg, known for his unyielding sense of justice. A brutal murder happens on a seemingly normal city evening full of debauchery punctuating a moment of realism that sets off the ultimate through line of the story. The international incident had to be reported to the American police and serves as the catalyst for the protagonists in the story to meet, but this is not the only moment where Alessandro Oliveri and Francesca Vivaldi shine as an excellent artistic pair. Their work shifts through innumerable facets of color and expression that complement the story ́s building tension. Character designs are emotive, capturing the detectives determination and vulnerability and accentuating the rivalry that exists between Edwin Fogg and Jesse Hoden, a marvelous example of art and story creating an enjoyable one-two punch.
The mystery embedded in the story is spotlighted by the ingenuity of the narrative. Each character ́s dialogue is solemnly crafted to develop their unique personality traits. All of this is thanks to Fabio Amelia and his brilliant lettering work that knits the story and compliments its strong atmosphere, a work richly detailed with appealing exchanges featuring troves of unique characters interacting in a realistically portrayed community. London as a character is fascinating, rich with history and undefined agendas that maintain tension throughout. Its interactions with the residents seem particularly scheming as each character brings their own group of motives and secrets to the table, creating an intricate web of alliances that British Police Detective Edwin Fog must navigate.
The story line is cleverly constructed, with twists and turns that are both astonishing and credible, a great introduction of each of the characters and their personalities that inhabit the tale allowing us to witness moments of introspection that deepen our connection to them, an interesting narrative which will draw in readers with declarations on violent crime and high society scandals. Therefore, Ripperland is a great amalgamation of the common tropes in an investigatory narrative with the addition of a time-lapsed lens that eschews the technology normally present therein instead relying on community engagement and a grounding in Victorian atmosphere which sets the mood with an overall ambience where race, religion, region, and occupation are all meaningful aspects of identity and status.
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All Ripperland characters and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are trademarks of and copyright of Dark Horse or their respective owners. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED