Scout Comics 2017
Written by Mina Elwell
Illustrated by Eli Powell
Last issue ended with Sam running over Joey with a lawnmower which for me was a shocker because I liked him and I thought the two of them would end up being together throughout the entire story. So you know that Mina isn’t going to do things that we expect, instead she is pretty much saying to me the darkness that is creeping into our world become bolder and stronger is capable of of so much more than we bargained for.
The more we get to read this story the more you begin to understand the build-up and execution that Mina is delivering. It is so much better than I had initially thought, and if we all recall I’ve been a fan since the get-go. We are seeing how this other world of supernatural creatures is invading our own in ways that Sam can see because she’s got on stuck in her arm. No one else can and why is that? Rhetorical question that was because the supernatural is that way and it’s Sam and her life that they wish to destroy before she becomes a threat to them.
From remembering happier times to Joey’s funeral and Sam is all over the place emotionally. I would be that’s for sure especially after how he died I mean traumatised much? Still this isn’t all rubbing hands together and trying to wring out the bad there’s some very unexpected humour here as well. I really like the way that the book is structured how the ebb & flow goes as we are see how Sam is subjected to all this while she clearly isn’t ready to handle any of it. It really is good, strong and solid storytelling and that you see and feel the creepy and know that it can come at any time leaves you with this kind of anticipation that isn’t entirely comfortable.
I’ll hand it to Eli this issue. Those opening scenes at the fair or local amusement park are beautifully done! I loved the instant feeling that it gave off. Not going to lie I wish it were more detailed in nature but for the creepy factor it works pretty darn well. The use of angles and perspective here is very well done, that line of houses on either side of the street for example is something that immediately makes you think someone like Freddy Krueger is pop out. The use of page layouts was nice to see and shows that Eli does have a nice eye for storytelling. With the opening as well as the supermarket we’re seeing more use of backgrounds and they look great wish we’d get more. Still for the horror aspect all the darkness seems more strategic.
Sam’s desire to quit, walk away and leave it all behind her isn’t something she’s afraid to share. Hell she’s shouting it at the man and keeps repeating herself. However at this point it’s all bluster and emotion boiling to the surface. With everything she’s experienced and seen thus far there’s no way she can actually walk away from it. She’s in this whether she likes it or not because it’s become a part of her, literally. She’ll see in those dark corners of rooms or the corner of her eye moving, creeping, waiting for something.
There’s something even more creepy about thinking like that. Sam’s life is no longer her own she is now caught up in something beyond her full comprehension and if she wants to get her life back she’s going to have to learn to fight the supernatural. To do what the man says. To see what he says you really need to read this. Being scared is no longer an option it’s time to take the fight to them but is Sam going to be ready for that?
Creepy in ways that will leave it’s mark upon you in a myriad of ways. This is what it’s like to be caught up in something you cannot escape, outrun or ignore. This is what the horror genre needs more stories like.