Comics
Review: ‘Coffin Hill’ #1
Right from the first page, “Coffin Hill” #1 is an intriguing murder mystery filled with possible suspects, red herrings, and an engaging protagonist. A tragic event from the past comes back to haunt a rogue cop. Witches, spells, and crooked cops are all part of this gripping supernatural/police procedural.
WRITTEN BY: Caitlin Kittredge
ART BY: Inaki Miranda
PUBLISHER: Vertigo Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: October 9, 2013
For three long months, the Boston police have been on the manhunt for the serial killer known as The Ice Fischer. All of a sudden, a rookie cop comes in at the last second and arrests the murderer at an abandoned building. Did Eve Coffin, the arresting officer, actually cheat in the investigation and use her witchcraft powers to apprehend the Ice Fischer? Now that her face is everywhere on television and her name is printed in newspapers, all eyes are on this rookie cop who just about did the impossible. What will the reporters do when they start digging into her past? Whenever Eve casts a spell, someone close to her has to die.
Making her comics debut, Caitlin Kittredge, author of the “Black London” series, crafts a deeply flawed protagonist seeking redemption. Because of a crime she committed in the past, Eve Coffin thinks she can make things right by being a cop. As the narrative continues, readers will discover the tragic event that turned her life upside-down. Eve can never go back home because no one wants her there. Readers will be able to note the difference between who Eve was before and who she is now.
To present Eve’s character growth, Kittredge switches back and forth between her past and present. The nonlinear storytelling helps the readers see just how damaged Eve is both mentally and physically. We also get to witness the damaging effects of using witchcraft for personal gain. As readers, we’re left to wonder if Eve can somehow solve the mystery as she returns home wounded and alone.
Inaki Miranda’s phenomenal artwork captures the emotional turmoil in Eve’s facial expressions. As an adult, Eve always has this look of despair on her face. Miranda uses Eve’s petite body to represent just how small she sees herself in the world. When the narrative jumps back in time, Miranda illustrates a different version of Eve, a teenager who is carefree and rebellious against parental figures. Colorist Travis Lanham uses dark shading to highlight the tattoos on Eve’s slender body.
During the Coffin Family charity ball, Miranda superbly captures the wardrobe the guests are wearing. Notice how everyone at the ball is wearing white and black clothing. In a big panel, the guests almost looks like chess figurines, especially when they’re standing on the checkered floorboard. Miranda has the people lined up precisely so that your eyes focus on the exotic dancer in the center of the room.
An impressive first issue, “Coffin Hill #1” is a dark and twisted police thriller that must be picked up. Eve Coffin is an interesting character whose tale is about to begin. I look forward to seeing how the mystery progresses in the upcoming issues.
4.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jorge Solis
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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