Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by Marc Andreyko
Illustrated by Kewber Baal
Coloured by Jorge Sutil
Lettered by Taylor Esposito
Grad student Devon James is writing his dream thesis on Myths in American History, but when his research takes him on a journey reaching back centuries, Devon finds something horrifying. Something that crosses cultures, locations, and eras. Something that returns for a bloody feeding every 23 years. Will this young man's investigation uncover simply an urban legend or will he come face to face with an immortal monster that has terrorized humanity from the shadows since man first walked the country?
Well I was rather curious as to what this one was going to be like and after seeing how much I am enjoying Pumpkinhead I was excited than ever when this hit stands. Then add Marc and Kewber and how yeah I knew this was going to be interesting and brilliantly illustrated. Turns out I was right on all counts if this first issue is any indication. Also while it shouldn’t come as a surprise but to have a male lead character and how he is introduced was extremely nice to see.
We all know that it’s the opening of a book that needs to be one of the best parts since it’s what we see first and that determines is we’d like to continue with the story. What we get is so extraordinary to see as it’s really just all visual and Kewber shines brighter than any diamond I have seen and the look of the creature is kind of horrifying and goes beyond what is needed to capture the attention of the reader. Seriously this borders on reading with all the lights on in broad daylight already.
I really like the story is structured from the opening to in to the last page there is some great pacing happening and the way wee see the events unfold seem to be what a lot of the fans of the franchise have been wanting. Well we know that the creature comes every 23 years but where does it come from, where did it originate? Could Devon be the key to finding out the truth? Time and Marc will tell if that’s in the cards. The fact that this really is a setup for what’s to come hasn’t gone unnoticed and I like the bits of information that we get here and there are like treats for cats, gobbled up and begging for more.
Kewber does some of the most amazing work here. The attention to detail here blows my mind that he can lay down the work and then have Jorge finish it in such a way that the whole mood, tone and sheer scope of this story. Horror isn’t easy to do right, a slasher style isn’t too translatable but this work here has everything you need, from that damn smile, to the blues of his eyes everything about him creeps you out. Then Devon and where he is at and what he learns they keep the mood bright and airy but still lurking underneath is that uneasy feeling. This is what the pair do here the make this as psychologically chilling as possible and actually succeed beyond expectation.
What these folks do will remind you why the films, except the third one, were so good and popular. This will possible change the way you see things and even if there isn’t another cinematic feature then hopefully we’ll get story arcs like this one that will continue the legend, create a new one or just simply entertain with what’s already been put out there. Regardless with some excellent writing, story/plot development and killer interiors I am happier than I thought I could be.