Writers: James Tynion IV
Penciler: Fernando Blanco
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Thanks to Image Comics for the review copy!
Following the success of The Nice House on the Lake, Department of Truth, and Something Is Killing the Children, among others. James Tynion IV is back with another promising horror series debut from Image. This time dealing with the effects of a hidden underbelly of the Internet called the undernet that was once hidden and now appears to be trending and wreaking havoc all across the world.
All I can say is wow! This book exceeded my expectations in every way! Tynion continues to set the bar for groundbreaking and original horror. He’s really become a master storyteller and almost anything he writes or touches these days is gold. This is probably why his other series Something Is Killing The Children continues to sell out and will be coming to Netflix as a live action series sometime in the near future. Tynion wastes no time setting up the plot and driving towards the action. We’ve got a few main characters that seem to be on opposing sides and a whole lot of murder mayhem going on in the background. I don’t want to spoil anything but there is a lot we have to learn yet about W0RLDTR33, The undernet and PH34R which we are introduced to in the first issue. What we do know however is that whatever is going on is causing normal people to insanely and violently lash out at their families, random people and just about anyone they come across in a murderous bloodlust. Is it a spell? Some kind of hypnotism? Something more nefarious? You will have to keep reading to find out. Oh, and It’s not just the story that exceeded my expectations. The art is top notch as well. Blanco’s pencils and Bellaire’s colors knock it out of the park! The atmosphere, tension, and dread drawn in each panel just magnify the intensity of this book. It’s dark, disturbing but also has some sexual undertones. It is not for the weak of heart! There are scenes of torture and murder right out of best 80’s horror flicks. There may even be moments where you almost want to look away but you can’t take your eyes off the pages. The brutality is off the hook!
Overall, there is a larger sense that this is a social commentary on being overconnected, overstimulated and its short and long term effects on our society and its people. It’s a complete package of super charged nightmare fuel and it could become one of the biggest hits of 2023. Tynion has said he has very big plans for this book and that he has high hopes it will become a long running series. As for me, I can’t wait for the second issue to drop! If you are a fan of Tynion or the horror genre in general this is a must read.
My rating 10/10 – Superb
W0RLDTR33 #1 is set to be released on April 12th 2023.
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