Publisher: Vault Comics Written by: Tim Daniel & Michael Moreci Drawn by: Joshua Hixson Colorist: Jordan Boyd Letters: Jim Campbell Format: Paperback, 6.4 x 0.5 x 6.4 inches, 160 pages, color ISBN: 9781939424549
Days after returning to his ancestral home Chase Blaine’s estranged brother and sister in law are murdered leaving him the guardian of his niece McKenzie and nephew Zach . Their new home is a dank crumbling mansion surrounded by fetid marshland. Dark family secrets begin to rear their ugly heads as a dead body is found after Chase investigates a leaking wall in the basement. As dark visions begin to push their way into the waking world it becomes clear that something sinister is connected to the Blaine family legacy and someone is going to have to pay for past deeds or past deals.
Writers Daniel and Moreci along with artists Hixon and Boyd have created a creepy horror comic complete with a gothic vibe and a complicated family history. Snippets of the past act as teasers – never really giving much information but alluding to sinister events of the past. The coloring and illustration create an atmosphere that is shrouded in damp decay. Although this title touches on a lot of tropes of the genre it still has an original feel, and is a standout in the genre.
This title is highly recommended for any library collection. The Plot is clearly written for an adult audience but since there are no sexy parts (at least in this volume) you could easily sneak it in to a teen collection especially one that includes titles such as Locke & Key.
— Carla Avitabile, Librarian II San Mateo Public Library
Carla Avitabile is a Librarian II at the San Mateo Public Library in San Mateo CA. Carla has worked in teen services since 2011 after receiving her MLIS from San Jose State in 2010. Her library work experience includes programing, outreach, collection development, and supervisory duties. Carla is an avid reader of mostly fiction and graphic novels for both teen and adults.