Creepshow Volume 1 Review
Writers: Chris Burnham, Paul Dini, Steve Langford, David Lapham, Maria Lapham, Steve Foxe, L Marlow Francavilla, Francesco Francavilla, Ariela Kristantina, Kyle Starks, Henry Barajas, Steve Orlando, Clay McLeod Chapman
Artists: John McCrea, David Lapham, Erica Henderson, Francesco Francavilla, Jorge Corona, Fran Galán, Dani, Marianna Ignazzi, Anwita Citriya
Colorists: Adriano Lucas, Mike Spicer, Trish Mulvihill, John Francois Beaulieu, Brad Simpson, Fabiana Mascolo, Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Cover Artists: Chris Burnham & Adriano Lucas
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $14.99
Release Date: March 22, 2023
The Bridge
Writer: Ariela Kristantina
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
When Alexis visits a Malaysian island with her friends, her boyfriend breaks off their relationship via cell phone. Incensed, she doesn't wait for her friend to translate their guide's warning. She crosses a bridge and discovers an ancient temple surrounded by Banyan trees. Her friend translates the caretaker's warning, but Alexis storms past him too. What she finds inside the temple will haunt her forever. I like how Alexis’ fixation on social media blinds her to reality. Jorge Corona’s art and Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s soft, appealing colors conjure an exotic landscape reminiscent of 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun and The Phantom movie of 1996. Fans of Clive Barker's stories, and European comics like Leo’s Aldébaran and Christin and Mézières’ Valerian and Laureline series, should check this one out.
Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Fran Galán
A yellow-orange glow suffuses panels as Nancy remembers exploring the woods with her childhood friends. They find bodies drained of blood, but no one heeds their warnings. So, the kids decide to clear out the local vampire nest. The art and limited color palette give this story an all-ages appeal. While I missed the story's logic, I enjoyed the meditations on adulthood and giving into fear. Mix Stand By Me, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, garnish with Night of the Living Dead and serve.
La Mascara Del La Muerte
Writer: Henry Barajas
Artist: Dani
Colorist: Brad Simpson
When rising star Lupe Lopez loses a Luche Libre bout, she steals her father’s mask from her grandma and returns to the ring. Too late, she discovers it retains the same power that ended her father's career. Dani’s blotchy, smudgy style art suggests backgrounds. Characters and proportions sometimes look out of skew. It’s almost as if she draws the negative spaces rather than the positive ones. Simpson's vibrant coloring gives her intriguing style energy and a heightened sense of reality. Sadly, this story in Creepshow Volume 1 seemed familiar and predictable. Still, Venom and Carnage fans will like how the mask manifests its power.
Thirst Trap
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Marianna Ignazzi
Colorist: Fabiana Mascolo
Parker does a deal with a demon. In return for taking regular selfies with his cell phone, he gets his youth back and doesn’t age. But what happens if he loses his phone? Ignazzi’s art gives this story scope and Mascolo’s coloring atmosphere. Still, the scene that tripped me up only had limited coloring. I had to flip back and forth several times to understand Steve Orlando's story better and find clues as to who did what and when. Still, aspects of the story spoke to me, and I liked most of the art.
Husk
Writer: Clay McLeod Chapman
Artist: Anwita Citriya
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Sally’s parents value traditional Southern heritage in their lavish plantation home. Her mother trains her in etiquette, dancing, and deportment. Yet, as her rite of passage nears, Sally believes she doesn't belong. The art ranges from adequate to impressive. Bellaire's limited coloring schemes changed with each panel. Citriya hints at Sally’s struggle for identity with her bedroom decor, while other panels hint at her origin. Still, I needed more backstory to prepare me for the shocking reveal at the debutante ball. As exciting as it is, the revelation lacked emotional resonance.
Final Thoughts
Like a candy haul after a long night’s Trick Or Treating, Creepshow Volume 1 is a mixed bag of scary sweets. Some stories I’d happily give away. Others I will treasure. My favorites were The Gorgahmorahh Tree, Creator’s Rites, and The Bridge. You'll discover your favorites when you delve into this horror anthology.
Rating 8/10
To preview interior art from the story Take One, and see more cover art, see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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