Comics
BD Pick Of The Week: ‘Shuddertown’ Issue #3 PLUS A 5 Page Preview!
Earlier this year when Image Comics made the announcement that they would be releasing “SHUDDERTOWN”, an all new original mini-series from “EXISTENCE 3.0” and “FORGETLESS” mastermind Nick Spencer, a lot of people stood up and took notice. The best evidence of this is the fact that backissues of the series are almost scarce, and many are jockeying this one for Eisner Awards in the future. But we hear that all the time right? Well, yes, we do. However, if there is a series that DESERVES that type of hype right now it might just be this one. Need convincing? Well then my friends you came to the right place as you can make the jump to read a 5 page preview of the newest issue that is on sale TODAY, and a little ‘Why You Should Care’ for good measure. Read on for the skinny.
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spencer
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: Adam Geen
“The mystery of the Shuddertown “Ghost” killings begins to take a brutal toll on Homicide Detective Isaac Hernandez and those he loves. And just as the line between the real and the supernatural begins to blur — in his greatest hour of need, a trusted friend commits a deadly betrayal. Nothing is what it seems in this dark tale of resurrection and revenge.”
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
Dark, twisted, and at times disturbing, Nick Spencer’s (“EXISTENCE 3.0” Previously)noir style crime thriller “SHUDDERTOWN” gives the sub genre a major kick in the pants both in story and aesthetically. The story follows a drug addled detective named Isaac Hernandez who is desperately trying to solve the latest string of murders in ‘Shuddertown’ that seem to be perpetrated by a man that he has already incarcerated, and even stranger, one that has been dead for some time.
I realize that none of this may sound all that original, and if you have watched a full season of any crime drama on basic cable you have probably gotten to see a story like this at some point, but what makes “SHUDDERTOWN” not just good, but great, is the way it methodically unravels before the viewers eyes. Each page is an extremely well timed, well paced, and well executed piece of genre fair that blows most other titles of its ilk out of the water. Back in October of last year someone who interviewed Spencer (If anyone knows who this was and for what website I please leave a comment) made the comment that he was ‘the future of comics’, and even though I don’t foresee the writer being the be all end all that this journalist mentioned, I DO think that he has a very bright future ahead of him.
To go along with Nick’s expert storytelling we have an equally talented Adam Geen whose art style is something to behold. When first looking at Geen’s artwork on “SHUDDERTOWN” one might first think of Alex Maleev, and for very good reason. Though the artist isn’t as detailed an illustrator (yet) as Maleev is, it is a rare treat to see someone so talented get to stretch their legs and really run with a story as good as this.
This week marks the 3rd issue into the series, and if you haven’t been keeping up with the story I would not recommend trying to start now. (Think “LOST” if you started in oh, say, season 3) However, if you missed the “SHUDDERTOWN” train back when it left the station let this be a swift kick in the jeans and (Yea, I know I’ve said this twice. I hate your pants. Especially if they are leopard print) make a mental note to buy the trade paperback later this year. You will not regret that you did.
“SHUDDERTOWN” Issue #3 Drops TODAY From Image Comics! (MSRP-$3.50)
Comics
‘You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive’ – IDW Dark’s Next Horror Comic Will Make You Question Reality
Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life. Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively announce You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, a brand new horror comic from IDW Dark.
From Eisner-Nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is described as a “paranoia-laced, socially-conscious, horror mystery that will leave you questioning reality, and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream they were expecting.”
Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets. Until the night of their graduation.
When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life—and what she finds is something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
Because this place isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a cage. And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.
Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface, Star Trek: The Last Starship) co-write the upcoming IDW Dark horror comic, featuring art by Heather Vaughan.
Jackson Lanzing said in a statement to Bloody Disgusting, “You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is in many ways a spiritual successor to our last creator-owned horror, The Principles of Necromancy – a dive into the promise and consequence of playing god with the blood of innocents. But the Hivemind book this reminds me of most is Clayface: One Bad Day. This is a deeply human story with intensely raw emotions – five best friends and their five mysterious parents, tearing one another apart for the promise of some impossible glory that’s waiting just beyond their darkest actions. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to life with our long-time partner in crime, editor Heather Antos, at IDW Dark – and we’re particularly excited to give our Clayface fans a new, brutal and emotional horror made just for them.”
Adds Collin Kelly, “We’re deconstructing a feeling that seems universal these days; our elders have a death grip on their power, without any intention of giving it up to the generations that come next. YNLTPA is about growing up with the limitless potential of the future… and realizing how much it’s a lie we’ve been fed to keep us under the yoke of the past. Bringing this brutal experience to life is our artist and co-creator, Heather Vaughan, who brings an incredible amount of humanity to our cast. But it’s in our youthful leads that Heather’s art really shines – you are going to fall in love with these young people, even as they go through the worst experience of their lives. What we’ve all crafted together is going to be tragic, painful, but above all else, sincere – with a future so uncertain, there’s only one thing we can trust: you’ll never leave this place alive.”
“Some horror stories are about monsters in the dark. YNLTPA is about realizing the monsters raised you,” previews Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “Working with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on this series has been a dream in the darkest possible way. They’ve built a story that’s layered, brutal, and deeply emotional, and every issue gives artist Heather Vaughan opportunities to push the art into places that feel both haunting and deeply personal. Some horror comics will keep you up at night…this is one that will stick with you for years to come.”
The first issue of You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive goes on sale October 14, 2026! Make sure to pre-order at your local comic shop by September to guarantee a copy.
Exclusively check out the various covers for Issue #1 down below.
IDW Publishing’s horror imprint IDW DARK features comics like A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, Smile: For the Camera, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Twilight Zone, Event Horizon: Dark Descent & Event Horizon: Inferno, and more.
You must be logged in to post a comment.