Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Arjuna Susini
Colorist: Hilary Jenkins
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Designer: Sarah Rockwell
Editor: Jasmine Amiri
Additional Edits by: Bess Pallares
Cover A Artist: Maan House
Thanks to Oni Press for the review copy!
From the monstrous mind of treasured horror writer Cullen Bunn and the up and coming artist of Made Men Arjuna Susini comes a new horrifying chapter of gothic and Victorian horror. While a theater troupe practices their scenes at an old and decrepit theater house a new lead actress suddenly finds herself trapped in a play that seemingly springs to life before her eyes. The lines between reality and fantasy continue to blur as she learns nobody can leave until the production has wrapped. As she attempts to plan an escape she begins to wonder if she will ever make it out at all.
I really enjoyed the first issue of this macabre mystery. There’s a great cast of characters, and the setting of the old defunct theater house gives it a really old fashioned and eerie feel. It reminds me a lot of the old Phantom Of the Opera movie with a twist of Lamberto Bava’s Demons. I’m just getting those old school chilling vibes and it works perfectly with this book. I love the way they weave practicing the play and bit’s of Victorian horror drama together. The hammering rain, the creepy dark castle, the brooding masked prince. It just all adds a great tone to the story that is unfolding. There are many layers here to digest, many of which are still cloaked in the shadows and only begin to reveal themselves as the first issue ends. The art is also fantastic! This is a gorgeously drawn and colored issue. It’s a very dark and intentionally gloomy book but also teaming with vibrant colors that pop and details that really stand out amongst the panels. I especially enjoyed the murky cast of the choir section in the shadows of certain panels. It’s just creepy as hell! We don’t yet know if they are real or not but something tells me this whole place might be one giant ghost house with our lead character potentially being one of the only living people. I personally can’t wait to see what happens in the next issue. When it comes to horror we are lucky to have someone like Bunn at the helm. He hath spoiled us!
My rating 10/10 Fantastic!
LAMENTATION #1 is now available.
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