Review – Colder: The Bad Seed #5 (Dark Horse Comics)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Release: 25th February, 2015

If you’ve been following along on this twisted journey to this point, you know this is far from your typical comic story. Which, in all honesty, isn’t a bad thing at all. Paul Tobin has created a twisted masterpiece leaving you questioning what is actually going on with practically every page turned. So far we have seen Swivel collecting fingers in his uniquely horrifying way of, well, just walking down the street and slicing off whichever he deems worthy for his “garden”. With the last few issues the focus has drifted more from his collecting to his ultimate plans for Declan, who has some of his finely grown “plants.” The majority of this issue takes place in the place between and we are finally provided with an explanation as to why Swivel’s “plants” are dying and why exactly he needs Declan.

This series has served as my personal introduction to the ‘Colder’ world, and the writing style of Paul Tobin has been an interesting one to say the least. His ability to tell such a twisted, horrifying and disturbingly beautiful tale is fantastic — albeit a little insane. I mean, a lot of times I can’t help but ask myself where do certain stories come from — how do they form in the writer’s head? Well, on this one I’m at a loss. However, in spite of the story being the creepy masterpiece that it undoubtedly is, leaving me confused and more than a little scared to turn the next page, I just couldn’t seem to put it down. To take such an out-there concept and make it so damned readable is most certainly a testament to the writing prowess of Tobin.

Now, having said all that about the writing style, to have an artist fill the pages with just as horrifying and yet at the same time beautiful artwork was no easy task. Juan Ferreyra has created a variety of unique creatures for this book – most being mainly made of fingers, it has to be said – yet still each discernible from the one before. I say well done sir, you succeeded in creeping me out, yet made me love every panel at the same time. The artwork is highly detailed and is composed of clean lines and crisp definition.

All in all, I found it hard to put this series down. I read most of it in one sitting, and I believe that had I read them as they were released, I still would have been anxious like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for each new issue. Colder is a horrifyingly terrific book with great writing and outstanding artwork. I may have found it a little confusing at times, but when you have a story based around insanity, what more would you expect?

Rating: 5/5.

INTERIOR ARTWORK
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