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Review: ‘A Voice In The Dark’ #1

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In recent years, the idea of romanticizing murder has become common in fiction. Many books, television series and movies have left audiences wondering what it would be like to kill someone and get away with it. Top Cow’s new series “A Voice In The Dark” by writer/artist Larime Taylor takes that idea and transplants readers straight into the mind of a killer.

WRITTEN BY: Larime Taylor
ART BY: Larime Taylor
PUBLISHER: Image/Top Cow/Minotaur Press
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: November 20th 2013

“A Voice In The Dark” is the story of college freshman Zoey Aarons, who is looking for fresh start 72-days after committing murder. Since birth, Zoey has been fighting to control her dark urges and impulses. Studying broadcasting, Zoey is given a late-night talk radio show that allows anonymous callers to give voice to their teen-angst and unburden themselves of the skeletons that have been hiding in the closet. In the process Zoey has also given her sinister side a voice and now with the filter removed, her dark urges have access to the airwaves.

After reading the first issue it’s next impossible not to make comparisons to the movies and television shows that glare through as Taylor’s influences. Zoey has more than a passing similarity to pirate radio disk jockey ‘Hard Harry’ in the movie Pump up the Volume, as she allows her animalistic urges to take over when she is unleashed onto the radio. Also the scenes where Zoey is having a conversation with her violent side, she reminds us of “Dexter” battling his dark passenger in the mirror. Despite its similarities to other serialized fiction, Taylor delivers all the ingredients to make “A Voice In The Dark” a compelling story that stands on its own. Zoey is a compelling protagonist with many layers and readers are captivated as we watch her fight to keep her violent urges suppressed.

One of the most impressive parts about the first issue of “A Voice In The Dark” is how polished this first issue feels. Taylor writes these characters with the deadly precision of a seasoned veteran, and the book is beautifully illustrated. Taylor’s artistic style resembles the work of Jonathan Luna (“The Sword”, “Girls”) with a clean and simple look that emphasizes the emotions of each of the characters throughout the panels.

“A Voice In The Dark” delivers a visceral psychological thriller that builds with suspense with each turn of the page. Writer/artist Larime Taylor is bringing things to a slow boil by developing the characters, so that when the blood does finally spill it packs an emotional wallop with readers. “A Voice In The Dark” has readers fully immersed from the first page to the last as Taylor shows us what it’s like to be trapped inside the mind of a killer.

4.5/5 Skulls

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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