Review – The October Faction #1 & 2 (IDW Publishing)

Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Damien Worm
Release Date: 8th October 2014 (issue #1), 12th November 2014 (issue #2)

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Issue #1 Review

Frederick is the head of a monster hunter family. He has long since retired and now teaches Monster Studies at college. He is visited by an ex-partner, Lucas, who tells Frederick that his wife met with a common foe, Merle, and an exchange of a key took place. Meanwhile, Frederick and Doloris’ children are starting something. Vivian has just finished school and is delighted to find that her brother Geoff (who sees dead people) has discovered a way to capture monsters. Maybe Daddy Frederick will let them join in the family business now?

Steve Niles, for me, is the best horror comic writer and along with Ben Templesmith or Damien Worm you get the perfect marriage of writer/artist in the genre. Damien Worm and Steve Niles recently collaborated on the excellent Monster and Madman and they have continued the feel and atmosphere in October Faction. The pages are dirty and grimy, splashed with blood. Everything is showcased gothiciky, shadowy loveliness. It is a veritable banquet for the gothic horror lover. There is a touch of Templesmith here but Worm details so much more and the comic shines because of it. I loved it.

Rating 5/5.

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Issue #2 Review

In issue 2 of this gothic horror comic, we get to find out a little more about why Frederick Allan of Gristlewood gave up monster hunting after the ‘Harlow’ incident many years ago. While Frederick tries to forbid his children from following in his footsteps, the past is catching up with him fast. The monster that the children caught last issue attacks and seems to recognise Frederick and Lucas betrays him to a werewolf. Then Deloris is attacked leaving a clue in the form of a silver ring. There is a great momentum gathering around Frederick and I suspect he is going to have no choice but to let the children the children help.

Again, Niles and Worm prove to be the ideal team for a horror comic. The pages look like relics, the frames like long-lost pictures of a scarier time. Blood-soaked, worn by time and weather, they are as monstrous as the story being told. Niles gets straight to the point in his dialogue which feels both timeless and timely without being clichéd. Highly enjoyable horror. 5/5

Rating 5/5.

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The Writer of this piece was: Hazel Hay

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