Image Comics 2017
written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Danny Luckert
Coloured & Lettered by Marie Enger
I am a fan of this story and the fact that this issue seems to move things along a bit quicker than we’ve seen so far doesn’t disappoint either. Before we get into that however i’d like to start things off here with the work that Danny does.
The interiors here are absolutely amazing to see. The kind of washed out watercolour effect that we see amidst the attention to detail is stunning. We all know i’m a huge supporter of backgrounds being used and this while isn’t filled with them what we do get is amazing. The stonework that we see in the opening flashback and how the faces are used to show that gothic style blows me away. How panels are used with their borders and the overall layouts show off a great eye for storytelling. I’m really impressed with the way it’s able to convey emotions and feelings as well.
Cullen can write an amazing story, we all know that. He’s got a prolific repertoire to his credit already. So i’m not really one to second guess his strategy and while learning about his past life has been fascinating I kind of wish it was something we saw as he was learning it not as a kind of prelude to what we can expect to see. Unless i’m missing it completely and he was having that flashback while he was being interviewed by the Detective because then I misread the situation and it makes more fun than I had thought originally.
I was kind of surprised to see that Adrian was being reminded shall we say so quickly of the past that’s been repressed. I like seeing him stutter around and be mystified by his visions of a life he doesn’t remember living that was taking over his life. It had that whole madness about it that was really well portrayed and made you sit up and take notice. The kind of stuff that an actor would love to reach into themselves and try to bring to life.
I’d like to think that the cop has some bigger role to play in all this but i’m kind of on the fence for that. He doesn’t seem to be involved in the past lives thing and yes he’s looking for a murderer and Adrian is on his radar for it but it doesn’t go further than that and should is something I can’t answer. So I guess I like that he’s here and that he’s a piece of the puzzle but is he essential to the story, not really just a nice way to put things together for us.
Now Molly is another story as she’s really the one who took Adrian to this guy for the whole past regression session that helped to further his descent into this madness he finds himself in. Is she the love interest that pays the price or just an innocent caught up in this remains to be seen. Can Gregory find a way to use her to his advantage as he tries desperately to get away this time?
I do want to learn more about the cult or whatever kind of sect or religion Gregory pledged his eternal life to. The whole thing with the bugs and the nastiness show us this something dark and not good but to learn more and explore what it’s about could be one of those psychological things that make us squirm in our seats as it worms its way into our minds.
Totally digging this whole psychological throwback style horror thriller. It’s classy and a step-up from a lot of modern horror for me to consider it an homage to when they were actual stories and less an opportunity to show gore. I’m enthralled by the possibilities here and that alone makes he incredibly happy because it means I can still be surprised.
A thoroughly modern throwback of getting into the audiences mind to creep them out and keep them enrapt.