by Karl Madsen, Media Editor, Horror

In the comic world, much like all other forms of entertainment, we are constantly being offered the next big thing, event, story, character, or genre. Recently we were offered the next big horror series from Alan Robert, creator of Wire Hangers, and lead singer for New York punk band Life of Agony, as well as creator, writer, illustrator, and letterer of his newest scare fest. This new series is from San Diego’s own IDW Publishing and is a new horror offering titled Crawl to Me.

Issue #1 has Ryan Shelby and family dog, Max, waiting for the delivery of the furniture for their new home, when a shoot out occurs between an old pedophile, who Ryan somehow knows, and the police. When Ryan goes to investigate, everyone disappears into thin air. Issue #1 ends with hallucinations and medications. This horror seems to start with insanity as its appetizer.

As important as the story in a comic book is the art, which can make or break a book. As we know there is basically four types of art; good art, bad art, appropriate art, and inappropriate art. Bad art is just that-bad, and good art in the wrong project would be inappropriate. And the art for Crawl to Me is good art, used in an appropriate genre. You can tell who is who and what is what, but it conveys a deep feeling of unease, a stark reality that could collapse around us at any time, for any reason. Now that’s good art for a horror comic.

So, when IDW Publishing announced that Crawl to Me was the next big horror comic, so far it seems they are right. The story starts with an interesting, and inconclusive premise, with artwork that creeps me out. And while I’m not horrorified yet, I have high hopes for issue # 2.

ComicOnline gives Crawl to Me 4 ½ massacre hallucinations out of 5.