In Killadelphia, Vol. 1: Sins of the Father, James Sangster Jr. is only in Philadelphia long enough to bury his father—a legendary detective who was killed while investigating a case. James pokes around the family home, trying to tie up loose ends but eager to leave, when he notices his father’s journal. In it are the details of the last case he was working, where he came to the impossible conclusion that the missing persons stacking up in Philadelphia were actually victims of vampires. James seeks validation with the coroner, who worked closely with James Sr., and Jr. comes to accept the improbable. But, this goes far beyond recent history—it turns out that former President John Adams is patient zero and the mastermind behind a siege on the City of Brotherly Love.Â
As author Barnes explains in the end content, the idea of cops and vampires came from his childhood, but the solidifying of Killadelphia came from Hamilton. The inclusion of historical figures makes this vampire tale interesting and exciting, especially because John and Abigail Adams provide an additional conflict with their mismatched worldviews. Overall, there is an appealing blend of emotional depth and the supernatural—the Sangsters’ familial problems can’t be fixed by immortality, but borrowed time may help James Jr. find some of the closure he’s desperately needing in his relationship with his father. The romantic entanglement is forced and could have been omitted from the story without lessening its impact.Â
Jason Shawn Alexander’s illustration and Luis NCT’s watercolors are haunting and beautiful at the same time. The vampires are terrifying with their fangs and bright yellow, glowing eyes. Content warnings: this title is rated for mature audiences, and has lots of language, some nudity, and a fair amount of bloodshed and violence.
Killadelphia, Vol. 1: Sins of the Father
By Rodney Barnes
Art by Jason Shawn Alexander, Luis NCT
ISBN: 9781534315693
Image Comics, 2020
Publisher Age Rating: Mature
Series ISBNS and Order
Title Details and Representation
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
Character Traits: African-American
Creator Highlights: African-American
Related to…: Book to Comic
