Ragman: Cry of the Dead

by Elaine Lee

142 pages, Unbound

Published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ragman's a fun side character, what even drew me to reading some of his stories was his inclusion in a more recent crossover. It is a concept that does seem to run dry pretty quick. I was amused to realize who Elaine Lee was as I read this, and for my first time reading her work, it shows an attempt at doing something interesting and psychological with a character like this even if the story itself can be muddled. I'm not sure how I feel about this comics use of Haitin culture, reminding me a lot of the movie "The Serpent and the Rainbow" including its numerous problems. It also has a strong emphasis on the character's Jewish heritage, tying part of Ragman's powers to tale of the Golem. The art is stunning throughout. It can become a mess of sketchy lines and colors sometimes, but it creates a strong, chaotic atmosphere. While I'm not sure I'd call it a lost gem, I don't think it would hurt to see a limited reprint of this now mostly forgot miniseries.