Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files has been a series I’ve enjoyed for a long time now.  Dynamite has done a few limited series in that world, written by Butcher himself, and I’m finding them good additions to the Dresden-verse.  This month, a new one starts. 

In the midst of the war with the Red Court, Dresden gets called in by Karin Murphy, his friend and contact with the Chicago Police, to consult on a strange case.  A horrific death has occurred.  Harry uses this as a chance to further train Molly, his apprentice.  Thing don’t go smoothly right from the start, as Harry, despite his training and vast practical experience, realizes he’s never seen anything like this before.

The death of the man is puzzling Harry, and bothering him.  He takes a sample of some strange stuff from the crime scene, and brings it back to his workshop.  Later, he and Molly’s research is interrupted when they get a visit from John Marcone, a gangster, and apparently so much more, who has plagued Harry since Storm Front, the first book of the Dresden Files.  Things are getting complicated already, and the series has just started.

Plot: This is a good start with several threads going on.  The death of the man, of course, and what killed him is likely to be the central mystery.  Add in Marcone’s involvement and Harry training Molly, and there’s going to be a lot going on here.  I’ll give the plot a 3.5 out of 5.

Art: Gomez did the last series, too, and he has a good feel for Harry.  I haven’t seen him draw Molly before, but I like his take on her. I’ll give him a 3.5 out of 5 for art, too.

Positives: As you’d expect with Jim Butcher involved, this has the right Dresden feel.  I like Molly, and I think she often gets shorted in the books because there’s so much going on, so it’s nice to see more with her.

Negatives: The other Dresden/Dynamite series have given me a better feel for where they fit in with the novels.  This one makes a few passing references, but doesn’t nail it down as well.  I guess it’s between White Night and Small Favor.  I also find it a bit odd that when confronted with a magic mystery, he consults Thomas before Bob.  Bob’s whole purpose is to be a magic reference guide.

I am an unabashed fan-boy of both Butcher and Dresden.  This looks to be the start of another fun adventure, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Dresden Files: Down Town 1

Writer: Jim Butcher and Mark Powers
Artist: Carlos Gomez
Colorist: Mohan
Letterer: Bill Tortolini
Cover: Stjepan Sejic