REVIEW: ‘Killadelphia’ Volume 3

Killadelphia Volume 3 is published by Image Comics, written by Rodney Barnes, with art by Jason Shawn Alexander, Well-Bee, and Chris Mitten, colors by Luis NCT, and lettering by Marshall Dillon.

Set in the heart of Philadelphia, our story exists at a time when an uprising of horrific proportions amasses and threatens to destroy all of humanity. Volume 2 built upon a lot of the foundation from Volume 1 and then cranked that crazy dial up to 11. We witnessed heaven, hell, the underworlds ferryman, demons, beasts, and the return of John Adams.

What astonishes me about Killadelphia is that not only is it a genuinely spectacular horror series, but it also keeps elevating itself the deep within the series we get. Volume 3 delves so far into the occult it even takes the time to make meta inner references to other shows dealing with the same themes. We’re looking at you American Gods, which for those who don’t know, Barnes was a writer on.

Barnes himself goes above and beyond as he has created this terrifyingly engaging story that I don’t want to stop reading. In Volume 3, he blends current events with even deep levels of mythology, introducing concepts beyond heaven and hell and pulling in Gods of all backgrounds.

As the scope of the story continues to grow, it’s difficult to anticipate where everything is heading. That unpredictability allows the reader to truly connect with the story for the simple fact of wanting to know more, to know why.

The comic is only further leveraged by the stupendous art of Alexander and the controlled use of coloring from NCT. I’m in awe of the visuals from this series, and the detail for each panel is just astounding. Yet, it’s not only the detail in the art itself but the dynamic approach to the layout and the use of the art.

When reading Killadelphia, you never get the sense of repetitiveness or overuse of one style. The clarity and the diversity with which Alexander utilizes are honestly frightening given how adept he is at creating the setting and imagery that is the perfect pairing with the plot from Barnes.

NCT’s selective use of colors is also to be admired. The often dulled and muted tones reflect the entire mood of the comic. The piercing yellow look of the eyes hanging in the darkness is a chilling image. I loved how the use of red is so penetrating amidst a lot of darker shades capturing the lust of the vampires and the gushing of the blood from the mutilated corpses.

The lettering at times gives me a moment to pause, as often different characters’ inner monologue and it can be difficult to follow the thread of who we’re supposed to be following currently. The method of color-coding isn’t particularly helpful, and it’s likely a different style on top, and consistency through would help identify the dialogue better.

There is so much to love about Killadelphia Volume 3. It’s currently one of my favorite series, with the creative team smashing it out of the park. To think this world is expanding with Elysium Gardens has me beyond exhilarated, and a tv series is around the corner. Barnes and the team are only getting better and better.

Killadelphia Volume 3 is available now wherever comic books are sold.