The Mummy #1 Manages to Make the Dullest Monster Great (Review)

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As a devoted fan of the Universal Monsters, I must confess that I find myself consistently underwhelmed by The Mummy franchise, compared to its legendary counterparts. Even with the 1999 reboot featuring Brendan Fraser, which was undeniably intriguing, it felt like a flash in the pan. When considering the sequels from the 1940s such as “The Mummy’s Tomb,” “The Mummy’s Ghost,” and “The Mummy’s Curse,” and so on, the series offers repetitive storylines with minimal innovation and fresh ideas. However, the new Skybound Mummy series manages to strike a balance between honoring the original material and offering a contemporary twist that feels both reverent and timelessly captivating.

Faith Erin Hicks pens and illustrates the fresh “The Mummy” series, which marks another addition to Skybound & Image’s Universal Monsters comics. From the initial line on the opening page, it’s evident that this tale deviates from traditional narratives. Historically, mummy stories have often been utilized as a vehicle for misguided perspectives of distant lands and cultures, serving as a backdrop for supernatural elements, where the “curious” white intellectuals were always portrayed as heroic figures. However, in this “Mummy” comic, Hicks establishes from the outset that the individuals from the exploited land are the central characters. Moreover, the ancient culture at the heart of the story is presented as vibrant and alive, challenging the traditional narrative where it was often treated as a static prop.

I find myself utterly captivated by Hicks’ approach to “The Mummy”. Instead of creating gritty visuals one might expect from this genre, she breathes life into the setting, making it seem as if the very sands within the pages could brush off onto my hands as I turn them. Her unique style is skillfully utilized to emphasize the personal and romantic aspects of the story, yet when necessary, she subtly incorporates the gothic atmosphere reminiscent of the classic film. It’s a testament to Lee Loughridge’s talent as a color artist that his work enhances “The Mummy” in such a profound way. His contributions add depth to critical scenes, temperature to others, and even create chilling shadows that heighten the overall experience.

Skybound’s “The Mummy” comic series, similar to other Universal Monsters titles, presents a captivating narrative. Interestingly, this story unfolds concurrently with the events of the initial film, adding depth and detail to the original plotline. The character of Helen, portrayed by Zita Johann in the movie, is introduced as a young woman here. She is the daughter of an Egyptian mother and a British father, who is a wealthy man with connections to the archaeological excavation depicted in the first film. Growing up with a heritage that straddles two distinct rungs on the social ladder, Helen grapples with her identity. This struggle isn’t just due to her mixed parentage but also because she’s trying to carve out a unique identity for herself amidst it all. However, the plot becomes somewhat heavy when the cast becomes overly expansive, focusing more on characters other than Helen herself.

In the comic, Hicks skillfully weaves aspects of Helen’s character, depicting her engaging with friends and attempting to break free from her father’s strict control. These subtler scenes provide a comprehensive image of Helen that the initial film didn’t fully capture, offering a richer portrayal of her as a character and her role within the broader narrative. It’s worth noting that in this comic, Helen becomes entwined with the resurrected Imhotep’s life, as he perceives her to be the reborn Princess Anck-es-en-Amon from ancient Egypt. By the conclusion of The Mummy #1, Hicks has introduced intricate layers to this storyline that were impossible in the original movie, yet they seamlessly complement the comic book style.

As a devoted fan of Universal Monsters for years, I was particularly intrigued about how a Mummy comic would play out compared to any other series Skybound has revealed. While the initial film is commendable, it doesn’t quite measure up to the others in terms of quality, and its sequels struggle to match even that standard. However, Faith Erin Hicks’ comic series has demonstrated that there’s rich material to be found, even in the slowest of films. Moreover, a talented creator can inject these tales with depth that even the movies themselves lacked.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Published by Image Comics

On March 26, 2025

Written by Faith Erin Hicks

Art by Faith Erin Hicks

Colors by Lee Loughridge

Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

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2025-03-26 18:45