WARNING!!! The comic being reviewed here is definitely for mature audiences. It contains graphic scenes of blood and violence, and some adult language.
If you are looking for a comic that is part horror, part supernatural, and part chilling mystery, you’re in luck. Halloween week is the perfect time to pick up “Abattoir” #1 (of 6), which releases this coming Wednesday.
Radical Publishing has partnered with film director Darren Lynn Bousman to bring this supernatural horror tale to the world of comics. Bousman, best known for directing three of the movies from the “Saw” franchise and “Repo! The Genetic Opera”, has created a new story that will appeal to genre fans. Even the name helps set the stage for the story; an “abattoir” is defined as a slaughterhouse.
Set in the late 80′s, the story starts off in a somewhat standard, stock fashion, with a man massacring his family and other party guests for no apparent reason. After the tragedy, the house is put on the market, and naturally, it’s going to be a tough sell. Richard Ashwalt is assigned the difficult task of trying to sell the house, despite already having tough times with both his job and his family.
When Richard and fellow real estate agent Patrick Merrick decide to check out the house late one night, after a few beers, that’s when things start to get interesting. They are visited by a strange old man, Jebediah Crone, who says he is interested in buying the house, but only if the deal can be made immediately. Richard explains that his request is impossible, and asks him to leave.
In the days to come, Richard is haunted by nightmares that may be connected to Crone and the house, as well as his own childhood. At work, his boss tells him a tale of a man who is said to “haunt” the area, appearing only to purchase houses where people have been killed, and disappearing after the purchase. His boss insists that he contact Crone and try to make the sale. Richard also finds out about another nearby “tragedy” that is connected to him, as he sold the couple their house.
After trying with no luck to call Crone, Richard heads home, to find his wife and daughter entertaining unexpected company, who turns out to be Crone. All of these strange occurrences seem to be setting the stage for what will come in future issues.
Even though the beginning of this story was only average, it became interesting and compelling as it continued. If Richard’s dreams are any indication, Crone may be linked to his past, and I was also intrigued by the apparent link between Richard and the other killings.
This series appears to be not just your average slasher story, but a tale with a good juicy plot, and definitely includes eerie supernatural elements. Definitely worth a look, for those who enjoy quality horror stories.
Such a great write-up! I have no clue how you were able to write this report..it’d take me weeks. Well worth it though, I’d suspect.
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