If you follow the comic book industry at all, the built up hype for this first issue has been impossible to miss. When talent like Caitlin Kittredge and Inaki Miranda team up with a publisher like Vertigo, great things are bound to happen. That truth is proven even more so in Coffin Hill #1. Just the first page alone lets you know that you are in for something dark and edgy. When I say edgy, I’m not talking about the type of edginess that has become cliché thanks to sub-par talent that has tried to sell books with shock and awe. I felt uncomfortable the entire time that I read this issue. That’s what I wanted. This issue is filled with a lot of information. It even jumps around a lot. Most of the book is told during a flashback. Sometimes that makes it hard to really get a grip on what you’re reading, it might even take a couple of reads to fully grasp the entire plot, but it’s worth it. The main focus of this book is on Eve Coffin and her family’s history. It is made clear early on that the Coffin family is wealthy and always has been. Also, it isn’t really the most conservative family around, and their exploits are shown in the early parts of this book during a large party that has been thrown for the wealthier people of Coffin Hill, Massachusetts. We really get a good look at Eve and what we can expect from her character during this party, as she makes a huge effort to separate herself from her family in front of the guests. Obviously Eve is the black sheep of the Coffin family.
But the real meat and potatoes of the book takes place in the forest. After leaving the party, Eve and her friends meet for some less than common extracurricular activities. And this is where we really get a look at what the rest of this series is going to consist of. These kids are into some pretty dark stuff. Black magic, pentagrams, chanting, you name it. After the events of that night have ended, these characters wake up and are confronted with the consequences of their actions. These are consequences that Eve is going to be living with for a very long time.
Fast forward in time. Eve has attempted to move on and live her life, but it looks like her past has caught up to her. She hasn’t felt accepted since that night and has to retreat back to the only place where she has ever fit in. I guess the big question is whether or not she will ever be able to let go of who she was. But is her past willing to let her? It might not be up to her.
The writing of Kittredge definitely keeps your attention. As I said earlier, I felt uncomfortable with the entire issue. Of course, it was a good kind of discomfort if that even exists. And Miranda’s art has been matched up perfectly to the writing style. For a dark story, the colors really pop and the pages flow smoothly due to a nice panel format. The creators took their time planning this series, and it really shows in the first issue. I hope that it stays this way. If so, I see this title landing on top rated lists for years to come.
Score 4/5
Writer: Caitlin Kittredge Artist: Inaki Miranda Publisher: Vertigo Comics Price: $2.99 Release Date: 10/9/13