Zenescope Entertainment 2017
Written by Dave Franchini
Illustrated by Vincenzo Riccardi & Renzo Rodriguez
Coloured by Fran Gamboa & J.C. Ruiz
Lettered by Fabio Amelia
A rash of horrifying clown appearances has a small community terrified. Are these appearances just a high school prank, or something far more sinister?
With the last years rash of clown sightings there was a huge opportunity to tell a truly horrifying story here. I like how it starts off it’s just the end that left me hanging. Guys remember that just because this is comics doesn’t mean you can’t have an old fashioned slasher moment that involves ordinary people in these situations that terrify them to the point of acting irrationally. Instead of actual monsters.
I mean personally it would’ve been scarier if they weren’t monsters but some guy who was mad for what was going on and giving them a bad name and then followed and creeped them out and finally something happens where someone dies. The possibilities for this were endless and i’m kind of disappointed that we got actual monsters. It had the opposite effect on me and cheapened the story and took away the creepy impact of the clowns. Or maybe i'm just one of those who think people are much scarier than monsters ever will be.
I mean this book started off perfectly with the kid in his room checking the yard cause he’s afraid a clown is there. His, i’m assuming father’s, response to his scream and then what followed yeah it was a beauty of a setup! Heck the boys being followed without them knowing it heightened the drama and creepy factor. I was so looking forward to what was going to happen. Hell even the chase scene had me going and I thought okay this is good. Then “It” happened, I mean we gotta get away from the “It” cliche.
The interiors here are freaking awesome! I loved the costumes worn the creepy factor was off the charts. Even that homemade clown costume with it’s cheery outlook turned creepy under the circumstances. The way page layouts were used with their angles, perspective and backgrounds helped the story flow perfectly. Oh and that moment we had a Rob Zombie character come to life I was okay with that.
Regardless if I feel that the story fell flat I have to admit that Dave’s characterisation, story development and pacing are as strong as can be. He kept us entertained and interested throughout the issue with his twists and turns along the way. Also the end was a really nice touch that’ll scar that kid more than a clown in his backyard ever will.
Clowns we’ll never be happy unless it’s what we hope they’ll be but in the end we’ll continue our fascination with them and tepid fear of them. Zenescope does tap into those things that strike a chord with our fears and bring that to us time and again to keep us on our toes.