Overall, Killadelphia #1 is a strong debut. A dark, deep, seamless story that plays into multiple genres without becoming fully any one of them, the book offers a tantalizing nightmare of urban horror that feels real, rich, and mysterious. It'll infect you if you let it, and you should. Read Full Review

I'm not familiar with Jason Shawn Alexander or the colorist, Luis NCT, but I couldn't ask for a better art style to accompany this story. The book is hazy, dark, and minimalistic yet appropriately detailed. Scrolling down the pages felt like watching a horror story. There's a pitfall some artists hit where the darkness feels like an excuse to not have to put as much work into the comic. This creative team uses the darkness expertly to capture the book's feel and showcase their skill. In the name of supporting black excellence, I will 100% be picking up this at the comic shop. Read Full Review

'Killadelphia' #1 is an outstanding supernatural crime thriller that's smartly plotted and expertly executed. If  'Law and Order' investigated an epidemic of murderous vampires it would probably look like this. There is so much more to this story, it has nuance and relevancy for its social commentary but feels natural and timely. But it's the terror that lies underneath the story that will chill you to your bones.  Read Full Review

In conclusion this comic is easily awarded the max of five stars, and I very highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys comics like Spawn, and The Walking Dead. But please be advised may not be suitable to children under 13 years of age. Read Full Review

The way the two Sangster's stories are run parallel until the inevitable convergence is a sign that Killadelphia is going to push the boundaries of the noir genre and urban vampire tales deeper. The flashbacks have a larger purpose in explaining the predicament of the current Philadelphia landscape that the younger Sangster finds himself in by revealing causation through the eyes of his Dad as he works through his missing person cases and the one that eventually causes his demise. Killadelphia is a very strong first effort that lays the groundwork for the future and develops the main characters, assisted by some gritty artwork that glues the story together, ending with a plot twist that leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next page. It is indeed a gift from the comics gods to end a great year for Independent comics. Read Full Review

Jason Shawn Alexander's beautiful, dark and stark artwork in this issue makes everything more dramatic and scary. There is a sequence with Jim Sr. entering the darkness of a building that is chilling to behold and there are more gorgeously done, dark visuals throughout this issue. Definitely a must read. Read Full Review

Anyone who has an interest in gritty detective fare or dark and moody vampire tales should check out Killadelphia. It delivers on the chills and suspense like any of the best classic movies and looks fantastic while doing it. Read Full Review

Theres evil in Philadelphia, and its kill or be killed. Read Full Review

As we sway between the dark reality of death and the surreal nature of existence, Killadelphia #1 finds its success in guiding readers through the apparent dread with impressive consistency and coherence. Read Full Review

Killadelphia is sure to please fans of horror and suspense, but even if you don’t like those elements, in particular, it is sure to entertain you because the real draw is how well executed this comic is. Written with the nuance of a great novel and drawn with the creativity and precision of a true top-tier talent. This is the beginning of something special. Read Full Review

An interesting take on the vampire tale that doesn't necessarily follow the usual tropes but instead forges a different path, embracing family, history and the current state of politics in the US. Read Full Review

Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander create a great first issue that is a tense mix of crime procedural, familial drama and supernatural horror. Read Full Review

Killadelphia #1 was a…. well not exactly pleasant, but it was certainly a nice surprise to read this week. I wasnt expecting to enjoy an urban fantasy comic as much as I did. Certainly worth checking out if youre curious about an urban fantasy style horror comic. Read Full Review

They've combined and entwined their contributions into a gem of a horror tale. Like Jeff Rice's The Night Stalker, they create a city setting real enough to visit, then beset it with a supernatural plague, depriving us any comfort produced by urban familiarity. Read Full Review

Overall then, this is a tight, well-written, well-illustrated, dark, brooding, horror-thriller with a noir twist that you really dont want to miss! Read Full Review

Don't even think about sleeping on this. Rodney Barnes knows how to writes stuff that's suitable for TV. His credits include: Marvel's Runaways, Starz's American Gods, The Boondocks, My Wife and Kids, Everybody Hates Chris. So, I wouldn't be surprised to see this blow up. Read Full Review

Despite some shortcoming, "Killadelphia" is as interesting as it is beautiful and deserves another chance given that great last page. Read Full Review

An intriguing, deeply jarring meditation on fathers and sons -- with monsters. Read Full Review

Killadelphia comes highly recommended by a couple of sources I highly respect in comics Twitter and Youtube. Unfortunately, I was drunk while reading the book and didn't get the comic at all. I reread the book today and it was so good I actually reconsidered alcoholism.

Killadelphia follows Jim Sangster, Jr., a man walking in the footsteps of his father, literally and figuratively. After his father dies under mysterious circumstances Jim finds his father's journal and discovers an entirely new mystery. The plot apparently involves John Adams and a sect of vampires operating in the shadows of Philidelphia.


The art direction and tone of the issue are deeply atmospheric which is a credit to Jason and Luis. Most of the linework and colors have a dreamlike quality and it calls into question if the events described are even real.

The writing is also top-notch. At the time of review, Killadelphia has been optioned as a streaming series, and it's pretty easy to see why. This particular story would translate well on Netflix or even as a feature-length film based on the first issue alone.


Further discussion would get into spoiler territory so I'll hold back. The issue is solid especially if you're a fan of horror or crime drama. Killadelphia is a must-read. more

Top class. Enjoyable book to read

Ok!!!!! I’m in Mr. Barnes! Let’s see where this goes!!!

It was ok. But I am guilty of buying a few of the covers, just because.

It was okay/good. The writing was really good and the art was cool, but the story was nothing to write home about.