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
    Cherry Blackbird #1 Review
    Review

    Cherry Blackbird #1 Review

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonJune 14, 20214 Mins Read

    She sold her soul for rock ‘n roll, but now the bill has come due.  Your Major Spoilers review of Cherry Blackbird #1 from Scout Comics awaits!

    Cherry Blackbird #1

    CHERRY BLACKBIRD #1

    Writer: Joseph Schmalke
    Artist: Joseph Schmalke
    Colorist: Joseph Schmalke
    Letterer: Joel Rodriguez
    Editor: Shawn French
    Publisher: Scout Comics/Black Caravan
    Cover Price: $3.99
    Release Date: June 9, 2021

    Previously in Cherry Blackbird:  Rockstar Cherry Blackbird sold her soul for fame.  Now at the age of 26, time is running short.  The day she turns 27, she’ll be dragged to Hell.  But Cherry is not one to go quietly.  The Devil tasks her with collecting seven demonic souls that have escaped the Abyss.  If she can do this before her next birthday, she’ll be released from her infernal pact and spared eternal damnation.  Heaven help anyone who gets in her way!

    THAT’S ONE WAY TO OPEN A STORY

    Cherry Blackbird #1 opens with a a post-coital couple somewhere, somewhen (the story doesn’t really give us any hints) arguing over a particular act that he wants and she isn’t particularly in the mood to do for him.  Things suddenly turn into a blood feast as a literal devil rips its way out of his anus, and stands before her coated in blood before asking where the shower is.  It’s a horrifying moment, followed by a smash-cut to our protagonist on the way to a gig.  Cherry Blackbird makes an ass of herself by verbally abusing an old woman in traffic, then arrives for her gig, giving a rousing rendition of her signature song, Drug Satan Death Witch.  After the gig, she returns to her dressing room to find Satan waiting for her, with a message: If she can help him round up seven of the worst souls in history, fugitives from hell, then he’ll negate the contract that cedes her soul to hell.

    Of course, she has to learn a few things first.

    RATED M AND WITH GOOD REASON

    I have to tell you, the incredibly gross, bloody and shocking opening sequence burned up a lot of the good will that I wanted to give this comic based on the beautiful cover and the information in the solicitation.  There’s really no reason to graphically show a demon erupting from a human anus with that level of detail, even if your intent is to shock your audience into submission.  The issue also treats the dialogue as little more than a means to an end, which leads to some very awkward, leaden conversations.  There’s little subtlety to be had, which I suppose is great for getting the point across (“They’re all horribly evil,” says Satan, “so you’ll sort of be doing a good thing.”)  That said, there are parts of Cherry Blackbird #1 that totally work for me.  The conversation between Cherry and Satan is very well-constructed (though the issue’s problem with dialogue shows up there as well) and the training sequence of Cherry learning to use her new Satanic powers is nice, in a Buffy The Vampire Slayer sort of way.  The art has moments that really work, but is clearly the work of a young, inconsistent creator, and the muddiness of the colors doesn’t do it any favors.

    BOTTOM LINE: HAS POTENTIAL, BUT ISN’T QUITE IN FOCUS

    As someone who grew up reading the black-and-white indie comics of the 1980s, I can tell you that Cherry Blackbird #1 isn’t an unusually bad issue nor are the issues with the colors and the dialogue overwhelmingly bad enough to sink the entire issue for me, but it does leave room for improvement, earning 2.5 out of 5 stars overall.  I’ll be interested to see where this book goes from here, and whether or not the creators can get past the shock/grossout factors to effectively deliver on the premise, but as first issues go, this one hits right down the middle.


    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.

    CHERRY BLACKBIRD #1

    43%
    43%
    Awesome

    There is some muddy coloring and a few artistic peccadillos that are a bit distracting, but the general gist of things is interesting. The shock moments don't really land, though, and the opening sequence is absolutely gratuitous.

    • Writing
      3
    • Art
      6
    • Coloring
      4
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      9.5
    Black Caravan Cherry Blackbird Joel Rodriguez Joseph Schmalke Review Scout Comics Shawn French
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMajor Spoilers Question of the Day: Opus or Hobbes Edition
    Next Article Children of the Atom #4 Review
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    COMICS PORTAL: Magazines Promoting the Movies!

    Read More

    Unchosen #1 Review

    Read More

    Wayne’s Comics Podcast #701: Interview with Curt Pires

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

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

    Reviews
    6.0
    July 13, 2025

    Unchosen #1 Review

    6.3
    July 13, 2025

    Retro Review: Marvel Team-Up #95

    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

    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