Deadlocke by The Professor

Writer: Arvid Nelson
Art: Nick Stakal
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics 
Length: One Shot

A moody and brooding artist/comic writer, named Locke, creates a serial about a dark and reluctantly villainous alter-ego. But where is the line between reality and imagining? And does this alter ego have more substance than one might think? An interesting premise and a bit of a cliffhanger ending to this one shot issue of Deadlocke make one wish one were able to follow the story for at least a bit longer if only to understand the nature of the so-called beast.  

The story is a little muddled at times though, as there is obvious history that is not quite laid out clearly between Casey, Locke’s girlfriend’s brother, and himself, and as viciously manipulative as he tries to be one almost wonders if he represents more than what he seems to be.
 
The blackish painterly art of Nick Stakal  lends to the mood of the story and is much better than the cover art by Jock which is rather boring and isn’t going to make those who, counter to conventional wisdom, judge books by such art, empty their wallets for this one. Personally I’d have stuck with Stakal for the cover as well. 

3 out of 5.