Advance Review – Colder: Toss The Bones #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Release Date: September 30th, 2015

Ceej Says…

After what seems like a painfully long wait (but probably hasn’t actually been that long), Team BCP’s favourite horror series is back for its stomach-churning finale as Nimble Jack returns to make a meal out of Declan and Reese’s fractured relationship.

Given some of the truly disturbing scenes which played out over the course of the previous arc, with Swivel and his finger fetish leading to some insanely brilliant (or should that be brilliantly insane?) moments of pure horror, there was a niggling doubt at the back of my mind that this new series might not be able to live up to the incredibly high bar set by its predecessors.

Well, as it turns out, I probably owe messrs. Tobin and Ferreyra a heartfelt apology, because Toss The Bones easily matches – possibly even improves upon – the perfect balance of unnerving dread and eye-widening gore that made the original two series’ such runaway hits. Nimble Jack has never been more terrifying, and Tobin and Ferreyra sum up his menace perfectly during the first few pages as Jack – a sinewy, leering, cartwheeling stranger – takes great pleasure in playing with his food.

As with before, the creative team works in perfect tandem here; Tobin probing the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind for the most disturbing ideas imaginable and Ferreyra bringing them to life in chillingly beautiful fashion. However, while this issue definitely features several moments and creatures which are ‘classic Ferreyra’, it’s the more subtle notes of horror that really linger here long after the book has been put down. Seriously, you’ll never look a pigeon the same way again.

With the relationship between Reece and Declan noticeably – and understandably – frayed, and Jack poised to re-insert himself into their lives, Tobin and Ferreyra have laid out their table for what promises to be an all-you-can-eat-buffet of fear and insanity. The focus in this first issue is mainly on Jack – no bad thing, in my opinion – but it’s going to be really interesting as this series progresses to see how Declan and Reece weather the storm to come. Assuming they do, that is.

This is horror as an absolute art form, and is essential reading for anyone who ever wondered what that weird scratching noise under their bed was.

Rating: 5/5.

Chris Says…

Goddamn pigeons.

As if the cover alone wasn’t enough to sell you on the sheer ferocity of the series, the slow draw of the first few pages should surely be enough. With just a hint of Hitchcock, a pinch of The Clown Prince, a teaspoon of self doubt and a ladle of batshit crazy, and you have the perfect recipe for your very own Nimble Jack!

*Warning*

Nimble Jack may go on to try and help the sane, be constantly hungry and have a strange take on the colder man aka Declan.

Tobin and Ferrerya are on to another horrorshow masterclass with this one, as Jack is apparently back with a vengeance and the team seem to have made their most fear inducing issue yet.

Now, how did that pigeon get in here?

Rating: 5/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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