Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay points, the comic book review blog for the ODPH podcast!
For this entry, we’re checking out a brand new series by BOOM! Studios that is sure to stand out at the local comic shops on New Comic Book Day. Ghostlore #1 from Cullen Bunn, Leomacs, Jason Wordie, Ed Dukeshire with guests Brian Hurtt and Bill Crabtree joins the ranks of BOOM!’s latest horror hits with an issue fans will be talking about. Let’s take a closer look and see what fans (and ghosts) will be talking about, shall we?
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The series opens up with Pastor Lucas Agate preaching themes of faith to the small congregation. One quote that stands out is “believing does not require seeing”. After the service, Lucas is approached by his wife Emily. The conversation moves from mentioning the smaller audience each week for service to their children Harmony and Chris. They feel Harmony is going thru a phase being an older teenager while Chris seems cu off from everyone. When Harmony is caught smoking outside the wooden church, her mother brushes it off, in an attempt to connect with her.
The story shifts gears as the family leaves the church. Lucas says Harmony can drive (even though she doesn’t have her license). Harmony pushes back saying she doesn’t need a license since she’s leaving for New York in a few years. The conversation moves into an argument as Harmony’s manner becomes defensive as the parents try talking with her. Behind the wheel, Harmony continues the argument and swerves out of the way of someone in the road! The car smashes into a tree leaving Lucas’s legs pinned in the front seat. Harmony tries getting her barrings but is interuppted by her brother, who finally speaks up!
From here, readers see that the family isn’t alone at the crash site. They have been joined by some onlookers who not everyone can see. Chris begins to narrate the next phase of this story before heading to the final moments. What does he say during this that frightens Harmony and Lucas? Readers enter a world that will shake them to their core. The ending will leave them waiting with baited breath to see what unfolds next with shocking final panels.
BREAKDOWN: Bunn wastes no time establishing the horror aspects of this story. The beginning is a soft intro into the main players (thus far) but the issue takes off once the crash takes place. In an instant, the themes of terror and uncertainty are amplified. Harmony is a character that has much going on that hasn’t come to light yet. Even with this being only the first issue, she comes across very polarizing to the readers. This comes from the conclusion of the story, which was a big surprise in where things were initially heading. The segments with Chris plays such a pivotal part in connecting the major plot points. As previously mentioned, Bunn sets up a shocking ending to the first issue that is sure to have readers talking in-between chapters.
The art brings this supernatural world to life with some very impressive imagery. The haunting feel of the series never escapes the reader. Post-crash is the panels readers will be most impacted by. There is nothing held back about what happened involving that moment in the story. Seeing the book transition into the next phase has eye-catching visuals behind it.The forrest scene leaves no doubt about where things are heading. Hurtt and Crabtree throw a solid change of pace with their portion to counter the brooding art of Leomacs, giving the readers a definitive pause for flashbacks. The closing moments build towards an emotional impact for where things are heading following this opening issue.
FINAL POINT: 8.5 OUT OF 10
Boom! Studios current run of Horror comics gets another winning addition added to the lineup. Bunn, Leomacs and the team bring frightening writing and haunting imagery to a debut issue that redefines what a “ghost story” is truly all about. Keep an eye out for this on New Comic Book Day.
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Ghostlore #1. Thanks for reading.
