Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
BOOM! Studios' Hello Darkness anthology returns with its tenth issue, delivering a macabre mix of terror and twisted storytelling. This installment weaves together five distinct tales, each leveraging stark visuals and psychological dread to unsettle readers. Here's the breakdown:
1. I Can't Take You Anywhere by Robert Hack
Visual Tone: A haunting single-page story drenched in a yellow-wash backdrop with stark black inks.
Vibe: Mature, surreal, and introspective. Hack's fragmented panels explore bizarre, thought-provoking themes, leaving readers to parse existential unease. Think Twilight Zone meets fever dream.
2. Granny Hags from Hell (Boulet Sisters + Max Fuchs)
Plot Twist: A comet transforms ordinary grandmas into zombie-like terrors, culminating in a jaw-dropping revelation.
Art Chills: Fuchs' illustrations render the hags grotesquely memorable—wrinkled, rotting, and relentless. Briski's colors amplify the decay, making this a standout for horror fans.
3. Something is Killing the Children: A Monster Hunter Walks into a Bar, Part Five (Tynion IV/Dell'Edera)
Tension: A bartender's sharp interrogation of Erica Slaughter (monster hunter) crackles with subtext.
Artistry: Dell'Edera's moody linework and Muerto's shadowy hues trap readers in the claustrophobic bar, where every glance hides a secret. A masterclass in slow-burn dread.
4. A Friend of Mine (Dan Abnett/Jeff Stokely)
Narrative Gimmick: Abnett shatters the fourth wall, narrating a couple's descent into domestic horror as their home turns malevolent.
Art Synergy: Stokely's whimsical-yet-uncanny art contrasts eerily with the creeping terror, creating a Coraline-esque dissonance.
5. The Devil in the Corner of Your Eye (Genevieve Valentine/Ming Doyle)
Dystopian Hook: A Big Brother nightmare where the government punishes "forbidden" visual sins.
Visual Paranoia: Doyle's jagged, claustrophobic panels mirror the protagonist's spiraling panic. Carey's lettering amplifies the bureaucratic coldness of the regime.
Verdict:
Hello Darkness #10 thrives on variety, offering something for every horror palate—body horror, psychological thrills, and dystopian despair. While the anthology's tonal shifts may feel disjointed, its strengths lie in standout segments like Granny Hags and Something is Killing the Children. The art teams shine, with each story's visuals meticulously tailored to its terrors.
Final Thought: A solid entry for anthology lovers, proving that sometimes the scariest monsters lurk in the corners of everyday life.
Price: $5.99 – Worth the shivers.