Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Mike Henderson
Release Date: 7th May 2014
I’m not sure quite what this says about me, but I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for a good serial killer story. Movie about serial killers? I’ll go see it. Documentary about serial killers? I’ll sit down and watch it. And so, of course, if there’s a comic dealing with the subject of serial killers, you can bet your sweet disembowelled corpse that I’m going to be first in line for the chance to review it.
Nailbiter, a brand new Image series set to hit shelves on May 7th, transports us to the small town of Buckaroo, Oregon, a place which has inexplicably spawned no less than sixteen of the world’s most prolific serial killers over the years. We are introduced to Officer Carroll, a former detective who claims to have solved the mystery of just why so many psychopaths have originated from the town, and Nicholas Finch, our main protagonist who finds himself trying to piece all of Carroll’s research and investigations together.
This is a series that plays its cards close to its chest, at least for the time being, creating a creeping sense of dread as we find ourselves gradually immersed into the twisted town and its disturbing inhabitants. Joshua Williamson [Ghosted] does a fantastic job with the dialogue here, constantly propelling the story forwards while peeling away layer after layer (though thankfully not literally) of our main characters.
However, as good as the writing is, one of the main selling points of this series is undoubtedly going to be – as you can see from the cover – Mike Henderson’s truly fantastic artwork which remains consistently memorable throughout, from the sickeningly violent opening scene to the chilling menace of the issue’s final panel. His characters are emotive and expressive, and he manages to put together some utterly unforgettable serial killers in the Buckaroo Butchers – even if we only get to see a couple of them in this opening issue.
I’m calling it now – Nailbiter is going to be an absolute runaway hit for Image. It’s a series that truly gets under your skin. Or, more accurately, a series that gets under your skin, removes your skin, and then makes a rather fetching coat out of it. There are a lot of wonderfully messed-up characters here, and a truly gripping mystery at the heart of it all. Make sure you pick this one up when it’s released on the 7th of May. I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Rating: 5/5.
The writer of this piece was: 
Craig Neilson (aka Ceej)
Article Archive: Ceej Says
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