|
|
|
The Secret #1
Posted 23 Feb 2007
Writer: Mike Richardson
Artist: Jason Shawn Alexander
Publisher: Dark Horse
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Matt Rawson
|
|
If you are like me, someone who has been let down on an epic scale by the
current trend in what is erroneously labeled “horror”, then The
Secret might just be for you. Why? Because in this little, 24-page,
saddle-stitched pamphlet of joy known as a comic book, horror is finally done
right!
For example, The Secret does not feature the ridiculous dialogue,
porn-quality storyline, completely unsympathetic characters, and prolonged,
disgusting torture that such heart-warming films as Hostel brandish with
unwavering dedication to the lowest common denominator. For my dollar, the
overgrown frat boys that make this celluloid sewage can keep it. The
Secret
I have a warm and fuzzy place in my heart for
watercolors, so to see this book beautifully illustrated in that very medium
was a treat.
|
keeps to the basics of mood and actually makes you care about the
characters. While reading it, I kept feeling this creeping sensation in the back
of my skull, that something very nasty is being built up to. To do that well is
harder than it might seem. There is not even one drop of blood spilled in The
Secret #1, yet it accomplished a higher level of horror in its 24 pages that
the re-make of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre still didn’t managed in
its entire play-time.
I am not scared of movie monsters. Most of them seem like nothing
more than cartoon characters with rusty weapons and a thirst for blood.
They’re fun, sure, but they certainly aren’t scary. The
Secret does not feature any monsters as of the first issue, but only lets
you have but a glimpse at the looming, mysterious, hoodie-wearing threat.
Well, then, you might be asking, what happens in the issue if it’s not
all about people dying and girls shamelessly displaying their naughty niblets
shortly before their toenails are ripped off? Your answer: story happens.
Characters happen. Rising tension happens.
The real good stuff.
This is all without even mentioning the absolutely jaw-dropping artwork of
Jason Shawn Alexander. I have a warm and fuzzy place in my heart for
watercolors, so to see this book beautifully illustrated in that very medium
was a treat. The level of storytelling and page design are also something to
behold. Each character is his, or her, own visual entity. And, I must add, that
the tension and mood I spoke of before that make this book so successful, is in
no small part due to Mr. Alexander’s masterful use of color.
The Secret #1 is certainly a diamond in the horrible, blood-drenched,
crappy-dialogue-ridden, brain-eating dung hill known as “modern
horror”, to be sure. Writer Mike Richardson, Mr. Dark Horse himself, has
done us all a big favor. So, applause all around. I can’t wait to see if
the second issue measures up to the standards set by this debut.
—CCdC—
|
|
