Image Comics 2016
Written by J. Young & Brian Buccellato
Illustrated by Matias Bergara
Coloured by B. Buccellato
Lettered by Troy Peteri
There’s something kind of absolutely charming about this series and yes the characters are somewhat isolated from the rest of humanity and are that very small town kind of folk. They know each other, look after their own and are quick on the trigger, anger wise. It’s like a slice of americana that is prevalent in this country. The characterisation here is really extremely good and these folks have a backwoods honesty about them that I find endearing. It doesn’t help matters that the outside world has these cannibals running around making their small town life even smaller but it’s understandable.
The pacing here is rather surprising too as we don’t see a lot of the cannibals yet, just snippets that they’ve come to town so the build up is not really slow it’s more like the tension is mounting before the you know what hits the fan. While we are seeing the town isn’t immune to the cannibals as they think they are it isn’t commonplace either so the whole secret of their actions aspect that we do get are really well represented here.
The whole subplot with Danny has to tie into to something larger here and for the life of me I can’t see it yet. I like this because there’s a mystery surrounding him and that really kind of heightens things. It’s very obvious something is wrong and he’s distressed but what is really going on with him? Is he going to be a hero or a harbinger of something is up in the air but his presence in town means something and I look forward to learning exactly what that is. This is among the reasons that i’m really into this story that my mind races with possibilities and yet i’m no closer to seeing the truth. This is the sign of excellent writing folks.
I’m also really enjoying the interiors here as well. There’s both a nice crispness and detailed look at things as well as some very ambiguous work going on at the same time. This contrast really has a great effect. The use of page layouts through angles and perspective are extremely well done. There’s an ambiance about the work that is both soothing and at the edge of horror that mixes perfectly.
The more learn about the characters in play the more questions we’ve got and that’s the way to build up a story so that we’re ensured to return. This sleepy little town is about to be at the center of this cannibal rage and the townsfolk are blissfully unaware just living their lives and being weary of strangers. It’s the kind of stuff that you read and see and think this would make a stellar television programme. It’s got bits and pieces of the horror to come intertwined with excellent characterisation and build up.
This has the potential to rewrite the way modern horror is done.