Songs for the Dead #1 Review — Even Necromancers Get the Blues
The world is full of “characters who appear evil but just want to help people” stories. Some of them are very good, some of them are very bad. Likewise, the world is full of sword and sorcery, D&D-esque tales. Some of them are very good, some of them are very bad. In the gaping chasm left behind by the premature exit of Rat Queens, I’ve been looking for a solid adventure comic with a badass leading lady. Songs for the Dead #1 caught my eye, in part because I’m a sucker for a necromancer-gone-good tale, and in part because I’m a sucker for first-efforts.
Songs for the Dead follows Bethany, a young necromancer who is trying to make a name for herself as an adventuring hero. She accepts a quest to help a young boy, Emory, only to discover he’s been murdered by bandits. With the help of some good old fashioned necromancy, she is able to track his killers to a questionable cadre of bandits.
The story is, thus far, equal parts tongue-in-cheek and serious. There is a little bit of wink-and-nod toward adventuring game tropes and settings, but Bethany herself is presented as an entirely genuine character. This is not Rat Queens, I should make very clear. It may evolve as Bethany acquires an enigmatic rogue questing partner, but Bethany is more of the Neutral Good lean than any of the Rat Queens. There is an honesty and optimism in her story, in just one issue, than other stories within the genre (I’m looking squarely at the dark and gloomy, trope-filled Night’s Dominion).
As with most first issues, Songs for the Dead #1 serves as more of a pilot than a storied experience. We’re introduced to Bethany, her powers, and her mindset. She makes a new friend, and they set out on an adventure, with Bethany’s undead squirrel pet in tow. Did I mention there’s an adorable undead squirrel glamor pet? Because there totally is and it’s totally awesome. Songs for the Dead is going to be a different beast than Rat Queens, but it is unquestionably poised to fill that void in my heart, and I cannot wait for the next issue.
Authors: Andrea Fort, Michael Christopher Heron
Artist: Sam Beck
Publisher: Necromancer Press
Publish date: 11/09/2016
Acquired via Purchase
