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Devil’s Due Publishing
Written by Tim Seely
Art by Emily Stone
Review by Mike Fish
I’m trying to think. Would losing a pinky toe be so bad? I mean, its friggen tiny down there… on my foot. An added appendage. An extra ugly piece of bone and skin that reminds me of that wagging tail on Jason Alexander from Shallow Hal. (Damn that thing still gives me nightmares!) And then I remember stubbing my toe on the bathroom door a couple weeks ago, and the answer becomes clear. “Hell yeah, it’s bad!” Hurts just thinking about it too!
But not Hack/Slash. NosirreeBob. This hear comic book is the goods. As we begin with one of our heroes, Cassie Hack, getting her toes cut off by a maniacal psychotherapist that tore his skin off a la Frank from Hellraiser, I learn there’s something magical going on here. Not the fact that I can definitely feel the pain as another toe gets sawed off, but the fact that the story tells it straight like it were the real deal. An autobiography if you will, about a girl that had bad parents with good intentions. A loner that found a true friend amongst the outcasts. A world that resembles reality, but roots in the supernatural and eerie. Hack/Slash covers the basis of good storytelling mixed in with guilty pleasures. And at this rate, it’s written on the chalk board as addictive like sex on a bed of chocolate while money spits out of the pillow case as you ride the high. Yes, folks, like Andre 3000 says, “I think I’m in love… LOOOOVE… again.”
Tim Seely shows maturity here as he ventures into a solid backstory of the two main characters, Vlad and Cassie Hack. In his previous outings with the characters, it appeared that he filled a void within himself, making loveable moments from popular horror films into segments in his book. It’s easy to see where some of his ideas come from as this first issue showcases nods to Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and Nightbreed films. But Seely controls himself, and finds that his main characters have a story to tell. A new, refreshingly original one at that. It’s evident when we learn the mother-daughter relationship has a great impact on Cassie Hack’s personality, affecting her decisions to become a killer of killers. Her father failed to be there when she needed him, and her friends were never there to begin with. It’s a rewarding piece to see the wonderful flavor Seely emits from his love of horror movies, but also taking a big breath to let out the real story. If he keeps taking those deep breaths, Cassie Hack could very well become the face of horror comics. Not to mention an icon to female audiences around the world. I have my fingers crossed that he stays aboard the boat of fortune.
Emily Stone is a great artist. Very cinematic and moving, definitely feeling those moments Seely writes for her. The moments with Cassie’s mother and her childhood were touching, and then quickly switching to blood and terror reveals Stone’s uncanny ability in differentiating drama, action, and gore with a natural balance. It’s not forced and it’s not over the top. It’s just right.
After reading this issue, I don’t see how this could be a movie. It seems like it could very well be the next big serial TV show that would cater to fans like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. If I were Devil’s Due Publishing, I’d maybe want to look into that. Because I think I’d be addicted to a TV show with these characters and setups. But then again, what would happen to that addiction on my chocolate-covered bed? Time to stub my toe and get back to reality me thinks, Bob.
GRADE: A CONTINUE: This is the one to read, folks! I see great things happening here, and I think it’s the start of something big too. Get aboard the “Seely Boat” and thank me later! Can’t get to a book store? Head on over to www.pullboxonline.com. Cheap too!
http://www.devilsdue.net/
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