IDW Publishing 2015
Written by Brandon Seifert
Illustrated by Menton3
Years ago, a scientist had a horrific accident when he tried to use his newly invented teleportation device and became a human-fly hybrid. His almost human son has continued the search for a cure, but those efforts may have led to something much, much worse than the original tragedy...
This has to be one of the best creepy stories I’ve read in quite some time. Granted Menton3’s interiors really set the mood beautifully but it’s really Brandon’s story that captures your attention. I like the whole throwback feel of all this that it isn’t in your face horror but a more subtle build of implications that as the story progresses you get more and more creeped out by the turn of events that are occurring.
Martin born with the genetic mutation that he’s kept in check all these years has been the source of his mania which resulted in him passing this on to his friend and coworker and he’s vowed to find a cure once and for all. This kind of genetic stuff though happened by accident thank to that eerie looking transporter device that blended human and fly DNA in the first place. Not trying to redifine the movie but rather go forward from what we’ve seen and manage to stay true to the original source material is something Brandon has done wonderfully.
Last issue everyone at that facility was taken into Quarantine because of what happened. Martin secretly talks to his wife as he recounts what’s been going on with Bartok. There are a few things here that stand out and that’s Beth’s reaction and her feeling of helplessness not being there for her husband and Martin himself. HIs reaction to the staff monitoring them and Menton3’s depiction of him. He’s a younger version of the old Hollywood style leading man or even a modern day version of one and that’s great because we can be attracted to him and it humanizes him in ways that make the reader root for him.
The suits the Dr.’s monitoring them are wearing are crazy and at first glance look like something out of a Doctor Who episode which is pretty funny and showcases how serious they are taking this at the same time. The way Brandon is able to keep this story moving by talking to his colleague Noelani as he describes the symptoms that infected people will go through as we actually see the first person to demonstrates signs of the infection. This way of showing us how this all works without going all into some gore aspect is delightful and the symptoms well let’s just say that the first stage doesn’t sound unappealing in the slightest.
Another thing I like about this is that you don’t have to have watched the Fly movies to enjoy this. There’s enough explanation going on so far that it’s easy to pick up and understand but it simultaneously makes me want to go back and watch them. Brandon has managed to create a modern throwback, something that harkens back to another time but also is firmly rooted in the here and now and should thrill readers all types.