Before I first started reading, I was under the impression that this story was going to be about an ongoing hunt for a monster; the cover sort of tricks you a little bit. It turned out to be something else. I can see now that this is going to be more about dealing with the madness that goes along with being in the presence of the beast. I felt at least three different emotions while reading this book. There was nothing consistent about it, other than the fact that it was consistently interesting. When comic books read like that, nine times out of ten they’re a fast read. This was definitely that. It was over before I knew it. And for anyone who’s been reading comics for any amount of time at all, you’ll know that that’s a good thing. The dialogue is written very well. I’ve read stuff from these particular guys for a while now, and it’s all definitely worth your time, but this feels more like a comic book event than a mini-series. The conversations just feel like they’re letting you know ahead of time that you’re not going to be ready for whatever happens. Looks like we’re going to be in for a rough road. I’m glad to see that Boom! Studios has gotten hold of this team. Something has been hunting down and slaughtering people for no apparent reason. And there appears to be no connection so far, other than the fact that each murder has been executed in the most violent of ways. Each corpse is left completely butchered. Every body is completely ripped to shreds. There is a reward out for whatever is doing this, and the hunt for this savage beast is on.
Laney Griffin’s son is sick. His financial ability to take care of him is slowly draining away. If he doesn’t do something soon, all hope of holding on to him will vanish. But a reward like this gives Laney hope. A reward like this could save his son, if he can manage to survive.
The script that Moreci and Daniel deliver has a way of grabbing on to you immediately. At times, if you aren’t giving this book all of your attention, you could get swept up in the complexity of how the story is being told. Seemingly it’s pretty straight forward, but I definitely wouldn’t want to have anything else on my mind while I was trying to read it. It’s only a four-part series, there’s going to have to be a lot of content jammed into each issue. So pay attention. This particular issue gives you a lot of information. Actually, it kind of teases that the information that you’re getting is just filled with bits and pieces. Maybe we’ll be given more little by little.
I love this art. Riley Rossmo would definitely have been my go to guy if I had started a project like this. This dude loves artistic blood splatters. Now after following his work, I think that I love them too. And I mean that in the most non-homicidal maniac way possible. His transitions from black and white to color really set the mood that you’re supposed to be feeling throughout the book. Bravo. Really good stuff.
I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t very excited for what these very talented creators have in store for us. This book is going to be worth every second that you’ll spend flipping through its pages. Curse is fast, smart, and brutal. Three ingredients for one hell of a ride.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Michael Moreci, Tim Daniel Artist: Riley Rossmo, Colin Lorimer Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 1/15/14