Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After #1 Review

Writer: Celeste Bronfman

Created By: Ben Aaronovitch

Pencils: José María Beroy

Inks: David Cabeza

Colors: Jordi Escuin Llorach

Letters: Jim Campbell

Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 18, 2022

Reviewer: Lukke Sweet

Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After #1 by Celeste Bronfman adds another chapter to the greater story originally created by Ben Aaronovitch. The story opens with a scene set in 1897, featuring a girl, her father, and their love of fairy tales. Fast forward to the modern-day where we’re introduced to our main characters, Chelsea and Olympia, and their friends when those same fairy tales begin coming to life.

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Story

With Rivers of London: Deadly Every After #1, Celeste Bronfman tells an okay story but doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of a good first issue. Readers new to the mythos of Rivers of London will feel lost amidst all of the characters and the rules of this world.

Beyond that, some of the dialogue doesn’t make sense, as if it was slightly out of order, leaving readers confused as to the dynamics between characters. The premise of fairy tales coming to life is a promising one, but feels rushed. Readers aren’t given an opportunity to know the characters well enough to care when everything breaks loose, leaving them in some tight spots.

Art

The art of José María Beroy, David Cabeza, and Jordi Escuin Llorach is the high point of this issue. The soft edges and bright colors set the tone for this to be a fanciful tale that is more focused on the magical aspects of the world.

Readers will be impressed by the detail of the background that adds to each panel without overwhelming the main focus of the art.

Final Thoughts

Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After #1 may do well for established readers, but falls flat for those new to the world of Rivers of London. Celeste Bronfman tells an alright story, but the execution left something to be desired. Beroy, Cabeza, and Llorach make a good team for the art of this book and provide a nice backdrop to the story.