Review – Hack/Slash: Son Of Samhain #3 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer(s): Michael Moreci
Artist(s): Steve Seeley
Release Date: 3rd September 2014

You can’t beat a jolly old horror romp with a bit of gore, I reckon. The bad-ass, Buffy-homaging return of Cassie Hack continues to delight. We get the return of characters from previous storylines, but without cumbersome, intrusive exposition – as a newcomer to the comic, they fitted into the narrative smoothly and logically.

The key to the success of this is the pairing of the narrative with that of the antagonist, the demon-summoning monsters and their titular overlord. It makes for a compelling read, and prevents the storyline from feeling a bit too fuzzy and teen-lite. We also get a clearer discussion of Cassie’s backstory, but again it’s for a purpose, as opposed to a contrivance.

The art continues to impress, bordering on gaudy in places but only in a TV series saturation kind of way – in other words, entirely in keeping with the piece. Tight, cinematic framing adds pace and the monsters sections are done with a contrasting palette that keeps them feeling edgy.

Where this ticks the box, simply put, is it’s a fun read without being insubstantial: it’s gritty, it has great dialogue and you find yourself looking forward to the next episode… I mean issue.

Rating: 4/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

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