Action Lab Entertainment 2018
Written & Lettered by Steve Bryant
Illustrated by Mark Stegbauer
Coloured by Jason Millet
Colour Assist by Drew Browne
Three months ago, a sudden zombie outbreak threatened Full Moon Hollow, but five quick thinking scouts banded together to save the town. Along the way they learned that there’s more than meets the eye in this sleepy town. The scouts were assisted by the town librarian, Ms. Chung, whose missing childhood memories may hold the key to solving this mystery.
Yes this is an all-ages book but ya know what I absolutely adore this franchise! What Steve does in this tongue in cheek manner with Full Moon Hollow and the Camp at Lake Crystal are things adults will immediately recognise and it makes me smile. Then there is this way about the way he writes this that let’s kids see themselves and the older folks like myself see my past self filled with optimism and the idea of friendships.
The way the book is structured and we see the kids texting each other excited to be spending Labour Day weekend together at camp is cute as all get out. The whole flow of the book is great and it has that ease to it where it’s almost cartoon (Scooby Doo) in the way we go from scene to scene. Plus finding the Werewolf yeah it’s all very much done in a way that is both fun to see and kind of non-threatening because it’s a kids book. I like the duality that we see where you can recognise when something is done for the younger generation to enjoy and still find it fun and humorous as an adult.
The characterisation here is great too. I don’t know who Steve modelled these kids after, if anyone at all, but he nails the different types here. Also that the Ghoul Scouts while belonging to different groups have formed their own on the side that is as outcasts by others is wonderfully heartening. There is a place for everyone out there and the outcasts have each other and the bullies form their own click as well. This really is all inclusive when it comes to the variety of characters that we see here. I’m just waiting on the gay kid to come out to complete the whole thing.
The relationship with the adults in their lives while gives us a look at how the kids behave adds another dimension of relatability to the book and the kids. I mean we all know, have gone through or experienced what we see and that makes the connection to this that much stronger.
I do really like the interiors here as well. The all-ages aspect is nailed perfectly and seeing the touches like the Stranger Things poster and Neil DeGrasse Tyson make for those subtle nods to the world at large and what’s popular in today’s culture. The attention to detail that Mark brings to this is pretty excellent in my opinion and makes for some great moments, the Werewolf chief among them. The utilisation of page layouts so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a strong solid eye for storytelling. Plus the fact that we see as many backgrounds in use as we do is beyond delightful.
I am not sure what Steve’s inspiration for this was but along with Athena Voltaire he’s creating quite a reputation for the work he’s bringing us. This is fun, interesting, reminiscent and of some darn good quality. Remember when you had fun reading comics well here’s what you need to take you back to those days!