Area 10

In a page-turning mix of science fiction and noir thriller, New York City detective Adam Kamen is on the trail of the serial killer Henry the Eighth, so named for his penchant for decapitating his victims. Kamen is a familiar character—hard-boiled, independent, a guy with a tough exterior but emotions that run deep. A head injury in the midst of the investigation gives Kamen unusual powers and leads to an exploration of trepanation—deliberately drilling a hole in the skull—as well as introducing him to a beautiful psychiatrist who develops an interest in his case. Gage not only has written for such comics as Iron Man and Spider Man, but also has penned episodes of Law and Order . At times the plot reads like a tightly written episode of that show; he even throws in a reference to Hudson University, where so many students have met their end in the long-running television series. The supernatural element sets the plot apart, however, making it difficult to predict the next plot twist and keeping the story from veering into cliché. Samnee's sharp black and white illustrations create an ominous atmosphere and give readers a palpable sense of Kamen's growing panic as chaos descends. (Apr.)