BEDLAM: A Supervillain Gone To The Extreme

Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Official Site

Bedlam, put out by Image comics, is currently 3 issues deep, and each one contains some truly foul deeds. Written by Nick Spencer, we follow the exploits, and attempted psycholigical transformation of a man named Filmore Press. Press used to be a super villian known as Madder Red. Think Chris Nolan, and the current iteration of The Joker via Scott Snyder, mixed with a little bit of, I guess just a psychotic serial killer, take your pick.

The plot so far focuses on Press, years after being Madder Red, and reaking havoc on the city of Bedlam (although if you move to a city called Bedlam, what would you expect?). Press went through hitherto unexplained brains surgery and psychological testing by an unknown group, to rid him of his Madder Red persona. And it worked. 

 It took a while though.

Bedlam has a new sicko out there, killing people, and Press knows how to find him. As a former mass murder and serial killer himself, Filmore Press is more than aware of the motivations of a killer.

As evident by the images above, this comic is not afraid to go nuts. The art by Riley Rossmo, is equal parts disturbing and enthralling. Like a fifty car pile up on fire. You feel awful for staring, but are helpless to turn away. Likewise, the use of color is dynamic. Much of the comic has a white backdrop, with splashes of bright red used, which practically screams at you from the page.

For fans of works dealing with serial killers, extreme horror, and metta superhero tales, Bedlam is for you. It goes for shock value, and earns every penny of it. It gets really, absurdly dark. Just don't say I didn't warn you.