Image is everything to some people. It can lead to extreme measures taken for public approval. This concept unfortunately lingers around the thoughts of proper body shape. "Whatever it takes to stay thin" can lead to horrific scenarios.
Spiraling out of the page of Ghost Machine's Hyde Street is a story that tackles this notion head on. IT HAPPENED ON HYDE STREET: DEVOUR #1 by Maytal Zchut, Leila Leiz, Alex Sinclair and Rob Leigh takes readers on a terrifying journey.
Let’s take a trip through the horror unfolding.
IT HAPPENED ON HYDE STREET: DEVOUR #1 by Maytal Zchut, Leila Leiz, Alex Sinclair and Rob Leigh (GHOST MACHINE/IMAGE COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Zchut layers the story to cover three generations of family. Each woman involved is at a different point where their feelings of image are at an all time high. Miss Goodbody plays the devil on the shoulder exploiting the fears each carries. It leads the family down a winding road of false belief and ultimate harm. Bringing the realistic nature of extreme weight loss plays perfect to cement a solid base for the story.
Once the tale shifts towards the youngest of the family's 3 leads, events change. The story gives off a sense of false hope. Can the broken cycle of mental pressure and physical harm be broken? Readers watch as Lily sees chilling examples of the results of their struggles. This leads to a fitting closing act. It constructs a lingering question before departing. The question of "did the end justify the means" will stick with readers post story. Bringing the realistic piece of horror to the forefront nails the landing. The Hyde Street brand adds another hit to their roster.
Leiz and Sinclair bring out the real terror of the subject matter. The feeling of doubt and despair pours off the leads throughout the story. Miss Goodbody looks maniacal as she pressures all to take her "offer" of Devour. Her full page splash gives the moment an exclamation point. In its aftermath, the users show off the shocking change. It hits readers with a shocking realization of what each has sacrificed on their goal to "look better".
The issue also has some excellent splash pages. Hyde Street in its' innocence camouflages the growing secret behind its' location. This leads to the climax of the unfolding horror. With another strong two page splash, a turning point is indented before the closing act. With a near full page, the image sends chills down readers spines as the horror strikes again. It's complimented by the final page. A full page image leaves readers with much to ponder as the chapter ends for now with a parting scare.
FINAL POINT: 9.2
The latest addition to Hyde Street tackles a real life horror with a unique spin. Zchut constructs a very grounded look at a scarring dilemma with building drama. Leiz and Sinclair craft a striking look at the high price of beauty with the panels. Often in horror, the scariest things are not hat others do, but what we do to ourselves. "Devour" brings that statement front and center with a direct shot.
Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on “Devour” #1. Thanks for reading!