By Scott Snyder, Jock & Matt Hollingsworth
This is truly one of the darkest horror comics I have read in a long time. The prologue alone invokes one of the most unnerving short stories ever written, Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”. The story jumps to modern day with the Rooks family settling in a new home and town. The daughter, Sailor, seems to be coping with a dark secret and it still haunts her and her parents…
Every aspect of this comic is used perfectly to deliver the true fear and trepidation that the title and cover ominously foreshadow. Snyder, who is no stranger to the genre, appears to tap into not only the supernatural, but also the darkness within people. This issue and even the preview done some time back show the depravity people are capable of, sometimes out of self-preservation or just plain sadism… That’s the true terror he delves into.
To accentuate Scott’s gripping, nightmarish tale, Jock and Matt Hollingsworth provide atmospheric, bewitching pages. Even in the most mundane setting, Jock is able to tap into the unsettling nature of the woods and town. Also, the way he captures fear and terror in character facial expressions pops right off the page and into the reader’s psyche. Hollingsworth, on top of his perfectly moody coloring, adds splatter matter to each page; giving the book a gritty, aged appearance. All these little details and additions only serve to deliver a genuinely eerie comic.
This title is, no doubt, on its way to becoming a piece of iconic horror literature. Wytches will not only please fans of this genre, but any comic book reader eager to find a story that keeps them in suspense. This purchase is a no brainer! Make sure to pick up the preview on Comixology if possible as well.
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