Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Joe Golem Occult Detective Drowning City #1 Review
    Dark Horse Comics

    Joe Golem Occult Detective: The Drowning City #1 Review

    Robert MammoneBy Robert MammoneSeptember 15, 20184 Mins Read

    Magician Felix Orlov dreams the death of his mother in an occult ceremony which features the terrible Lector’s Pentajullum.  When he is kidnapped by the sorcerer Golnik, his assistant Molly stumbles across the very man who can save him – Joe Golem!  Join them in this new two-fisted pulp adventure of dark sorcery in Joe Golem Occult Detective:  The Drowning City #1.

    Joe Golem Occult Detective The Drowning City #1Joe Golem Occult Detective:  The Drowning City #1

    Writers:  Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden
    Artist:  Peter Berting
    Colors:  Michelle Madsen
    Letters:  Clem Robins
    Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
    Cover Price: $3.99
    Release Date: September 12th, 2018

    Previously in Joe Golem Occult Detective:  His past is a mystery, his home of New York City is half drowned and the occult world presses close, but Joe Golem won’t let that stop him as he teams up with a magician’s assistant to take down an evil sorcerer looking for an ancient artifact to rend the veil between realities!

    PEDIGREE TO BURN

    Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden need no introduction, but I’ll do my best.  Mignola is obviously best known for Hellboy, and a lot of the occult sensibilities from that universe are evident in this opening issue.  Christopher Golden is a prolific and well-known horror writer, whose recent book ‘Ararat’ mines a rich vein of history and the occult.  Together, these two writers have begun to carve out a new fiction reality with their Joe Golem tales, a series about two occult detectives, Simon Church and our eponymous hero.

    SWIMMING WITH THE DEAD

    It’s September 1975, and half of New York City lies drowned as a result of a cataclysm fifty years ago.  Cults and sorcerers and ancient artifacts thrive in this shadowy world, where dark magics are performed by crazed occultists seek ultimate power.  Orlov the Conjuror, a kindly magician, is plagued by dreams that depict the gruesome sacrifice of his mother.  Molly, the archetypal plucky assistant, is devoted to the old man, who conducts séances for paying customers.  When one such session leads to Orlov’s possession and kidnapping, Molly gives chase, losing him, but stumbles across Joe Golem, himself fresh from busting up a cult and retrieving a precious idol.  Meanwhile, in the depths of drowned New York, the sorcerer Golnik holds Orlov captive and through him seeks ultimate power.

    The beauty of mixing an alternate history (though recognizably our own milieu) with the occult is that both complement the other.  Dread sorcery, in the shape of sacrifices and idols and gas mask wearing creatures, is made more terrible by appearing in surroundings recognizable to the reader.  Similarly, instead of a fantasy land populated by dark lords, elves and dwarves, the appearance of our world means the stakes feel much higher than the otherwise might be.

    The writing is strongest during the scenes with Golnik, whose monologues are set at just the right level of disturbing, his evident borderline insanity made worse by his deep desire to harness the blackest of magics via the Pentajullum, a heart-shaped device he wishes to use to converse with the dark powers lurking beyond the rim of human sanity.

    As with any first issue, Joe Golem Occult Detective:  The Drowning City #1 spends some time setting up the characters.  Orlov is a tired old man burdened by the mistakes of the past, while Molly is barely a cypher, though one suspects she will pay a larger role later.  There is no sighting of Simon Church, and Joe Golem is his usual stolid self, punching the bad guys and being kindly to seemingly helpless women.

    Peter Berting’s art is complemented by Michelle Madsens’ dull colouring.  New York in the 1970s, even in this alternative version, was a grim and dank place, and the artwork evocatively brings it to life.  Some of the artwork in the opening panels, which depict a human sacrifice, is confronting, and sets the mood for what is to come.  Similarly, the séance gone wrong and Golnik’s lair have a definite EC Comics vibe, with contorted figures and odd angles adding to the mood.

    BOTTOM LINE –  SOLID AND SPOOKY

    A bonus with Joe Golem Occult Detective:  The Drowning City #1 is the strong Lovecraftian vibe, of ancient horrors sought by clueless humans and an uncaring universe ignoring the suffering of its inhabitants.  Couple that with the occult detective aspect of the story, with its familiar settings infiltrated by dark magics, and Mignola and Golden are off to a strong, confident start in this opening issue.  There’s a dark world to explore here, and I can’t think of two other writers I would let lead my by the hand through their horrible vision.

    [taq_review]

    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Chirstopher Golden joe golem Mike Mignola Peter Berting Review
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMajor Spoilers Question of the Day: Ragequit Edition
    Next Article Wayne’s Comics Podcast #347: Travis Horseman
    Robert Mammone

    Romantic. Raconteur. Kangaroo rustler. Sadly, Rob is none of these. Rob has been a follower of genre since at least the mid-1970s. Book collector, Doctor Who fan, semi-retired podcaster, comic book shop counter jockey, writer (once!) in Doctor Who Magazine and with pretensions to writing fantasy and horror, Rob is the sort of fellow you can happily embrace while wondering why you're doing it. More of his maudlin thoughts can be found at his ill-tended blog https://robertmammone.wordpress.com/

    Related Posts

    Critical Hit #792: Matthew Discovers Fire (WMS01-E03)

    Read More

    Top Five Movies 2005-2010 Edition

    Read More

    Fantastic Four #1 Review

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.7
    July 11, 2025

    Fantastic Four #1 Review

    6.0
    July 8, 2025

    JSA #9 Review

    7.0
    July 7, 2025

    X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1 Review

    5.7
    July 6, 2025

    Gehenna: Naked Aggression #1 Review

    7.0
    July 6, 2025

    Retro Review: Big Apple Comix (September 1975)

    Patreon Support
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT