Comics
[Comic Review] “Nailbiter” #12 Is Solid & Shocking
“Nailbiter” #12 is another solid entry in the saga, filled with twists, reveals, and a few real good shocks. Buckroo’s serial killer mythology is expanded with the tale of a killer we haven’t seen up until this point, one that’s sure to horrify as much as it is hilarious. We’re also given the smallest of peaks into Buckaroo’s deepest darkest secrets. Every tidbit of info only creates a larger, more intricate, whirlwind of questions and mysteries.
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Williamson
ART BY: Mike Henderson
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: May 6th, 2015
Pastor Fairgold opens the book this month, ominously asking forgiveness for what he “must do today.” Fairgold’s always been a sketchy, borderline sinister character, but this cements it. He’s got an agenda and we won’t have to wait long to see the fruits of his machinations. Without skipping a beat after his dubious side is exposed Williamson immediately injects a good dose of humanity into him. Don’t forget, his son Hank died a few issues back and Fairgold’s wife has not taken it well at all. She is in a deep state of denial about the whole ordeal and cannot come to grips with her son’s death. It adds another layer to what could’ve been a bland one-note character.
From there we’re taken to Sheriff Crane’s house, where a majority of this issue takes place. While she’s cutting up vegetables for a stew she accidentally nicks the tip of her finger just as Finch and the Nailbiter himself, Warren show up at her door. It’s a nice touch that acts as a subtle induction of who’s come a knocking. Finch has brought Warren to continue his questioning/torture from last issue. He obviously doesn’t fully trust himself in this situation anymore.
With Finch’s history and how close he got to edge last month, you can’t blame him. But before they can begin anything there’s another knock at the door. Who’s behind the door and the mystery surrounding them is by far the most intriguing thing this issue. It’s so devilishly tantalizing that it almost hurts that we learn so little about it. It’s something I’m sure we’ll be in the dark about for months to come.
Nailbiter is consistently amazing and this month proves no exception.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
You must be logged in to post a comment.