Razorjack HC
Publisher: Titan Comics
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Price: $19.99
Creator: John Higgins
Format: 104 pgs., Full-Color, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-7811-6470-3
ICv2 Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
 
As Detectives Frame and Ross investigate a series of killings instigated by a deadly cult that needs human sacrifices a trio of students practicing a play perform a strange ritual.  Inadvertently they open a portal to another dimension, the home of an ageless evil known as Razorjack.  It's discovered our world and if it manages to crossover to our dimension humanity is doomed -- our only hope is intervention from an entity of hope known as Lady Helen.
 
The premise, our reality is threatened by other worldly creatures that are really into fear, death and pain, is essentially is an epic fantasy version of Clive Barker's Hellraiser.  John Higgins artistic credentials speak for themselves and no question, the art here is as lush as the colors are striking.  But I'm afraid just about everything else about Razorjack is a creative misfire.
 
The story, rather aimlessly, shifts back and forth between our world and Razorjack's and while there's plenty of action and a frantic pace the results come off as fairly anemic.  The plot is predictable, the characters uniformly flat and unbelievable and the dialogue, by scripter Mike Carroll, is leaden. 
 
It's obvious what Higgins is trying to do but unfortunately I've seen it done both better and all too often to take the proceedings here in any way seriously.  Though for the record there is plenty of bloodletting and dismemberment, if you like that sort of thing.
 
--Steve Bennett: Writer and retail services consultant.