One of the most popular genres in both TV and movies is horror. Now, in the past I have mentioned that I think that horror is hard to do in comics. For example there is no music in which to key the reader into the pervading dread that silently hides behind every creaking door or barking dog. If there has been one mainstay in the recent flood of horror comics, then surely it is Cullen Bunn who is consistently setting the mark.
Shock Shop is an anthology of sorts; it harks back to the good old days of Vampirella when the damsel of Drakulan was used to bookend the stories of the macabre. This time around its Desdaemona Nimue Moreau who acts as part host / part storyteller. This first issue has two stories, “flip” style with which to sink your fangs into;
Something in the Woods, in the Dark
(W) Cullen Bunn, (A & Col) Danny Luckert, (Let) Nate Piekos
The first story, depending which way you pick up the book of course, features a husband and wife who are going through a bit of rocky patch. What better way then to be forced to confront the very things that haunt them by being on a “relaxing” camping trip to solve said problems. Of course the scary ramification of past mistakes aren’t the only thing waiting for them in the woods. Bunn drops the background of the main characters in staccato style; keep up readers! Apart from the leads, whose misery is almost palpable, the rest of the group are the usual “yes” people or “nay-sayers” used to elicit reactions from themselves acting as the readers observations by proxy.
The art and colors are provided by Danny Luckert; facial elements are at a premium, which is key for the emotional turmoil on show. Clean lines work with a less is more approach with a nuanced colors scheme that effectively captures the campsite vibe, before drawing you into some fantastically coloured climax pages. Nate Piekos goes for a sort of uneven font, which I guess is used to emulate the shaky grounds that the characters find themselves in.
Familiars
(W) Cullen Bunn, (A) Leila Leiz, (Col) Bill Crabtree; (Let) Nate Piekos
Buun takes another broken relationship and applies it to a haunted house scenario which kind of reminds me of the excellent The Me You Love in the Dark, in intent rather than obvious style. This time the characters are somewhat serviceable, making dubious decisions and the such. Leila Leiz are is more cartoony than the straight up style of Luckert, which in turn creates some of the juxtaposition of cute art and scary scenes. Leiz does a great job capturing the fun side of family life; it will be interesting to see that level of detail on show when thing go south. Bill Crabtree’s colors work in both the early setup pages before things take a couple of turns towards crazy. Nate Piekos keeps the lettering the same as the previous story; all the characters are on uncertain grounds of some sort. I will say, well done to Dark Horse for giving Piekos cover credit on both covers!
With horror not being my cup of tea, I have to work a little harder to try and enjoy it. With Cullen Bunn however, you get a writer who can wrap emotional stories around the expected and, dare I say, the familiar things in the dark.
Shock Shop #1 is due out 7th September.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
Overall – 4 Stars
Written by; Cullen Bunn
Art by; Danny Luckert & Leila Leiz
Colors by; Danny Luckert & Bill Crabtree
Letters by; Nate Piekos
Published; Dark Horse Comics