Red Agent: Island of Dr. Moreau #1 (of 5): Uniquely Qualified

In yet another explosive #1 issue from Zenescope, the new Red Agent: Island of Dr. Moreau series kicks off a thriller with a horror twist that will certainly have you ready for more!

As Red and Avril try to lay low even for just a short time, things turn upside down pretty quickly with the resurgence of Dr. Helena Moreau and her animal-human hybrids. Those who are fans of the H.G Wells’ novel will absolutely feel a sense of familiarity as we dive into this unique set of horrors, but the book still maintains a consistent feel with other titles at Zenescope. It might not be reinventing the wheel, but it sure is a lot of damn fun!

Ultimately a series like this hinges on the success of the character dynamics between Red and Avril. The concept is solid and executed well and it already fits within the connected universe, but it’s Red and Avril that drive the narrative. They are interesting enough, but it’s their kickass tenacity that makes the first issue so much fun.

Red Agent: Island of Dr. Moreau #1 feels like a spy thriller mixed with a classic action horror, which suits the story quite well. Are there flaws? Of course. The sometimes simplistic background work and cheesy dialogue leans a little too hard into the camp factor, but it’s all in good fun. It doesn’t have to be a perfect book to be worth reading and even worth your money.

The artwork from Jason Muhr with colors by Ceci de la Cruz stand out with their bold lining and bright colors, making some interesting genre choices. With particularly strong lettering by Carlos M. Mangual, the visuals all come together in a really engaging way. This creative team is obviously set out to tell an exciting story that is well worth picking up. Hopefully they can continue the violent thrills and “not too serious” vibe because it does have a lot going for it!