Where Monsters Lie was one of my favorite comics of 2023. Now, it gets its next chapter with Where Monsters Lie: Cull-De-Sac, and it’s a debut I couldn’t be more excited for.
In the first series, it answered the question as to where all of the serial killers go when they’re not upping their body counts, a quiet community where they all lived. By the end, a federal agent, Connor Hayes, had his revenge against them destroying the community but also became what he wanted to destroy.
Where Monsters Lie: Cull-De-Sac #1 introduces us to another gated community for slashers. It’s a whole new cast of horrible monsters at “Site B,” where the surviving killers and Agent Hayes, have wound up going to after their tragedy. Where Monsters Lie: Cull-De-Sac #1 teases a lot, including that there’s higher up calling the shots, and questions if Agent Hayes will cooperate and become a happy, helpful, serial killer.
Written by Kyle Starks, Where Monsters Lie: Cull-De-Sac #1 continues with moments that’ll cause you to pause and drop a “holy shit” as to what has been said. There’s a comedy about it all that’s part of the charm of the series. It goes extreme so often in so many ways that the series’ dark comedy roots oozes into everything.
Starks and the team also deliver some amazing new killers, much like the first issue. One who only kills for the holidays must head back out and do so sooner, and spends the issue figuring out what holiday works. Will Arbor Day be ok? How do the kills work into that theme? If that simple bit of debate get you to chuckle, you’ll appreciate the comic which is packed with quick comedic hits along with the more messed up moments.
Starks again is joined by Piotr Kowalski who handles the art, color by Vladimir Popov, and lettering by Josh Reed. Much like the first series, part of the comedic fun of the comic are the visuals. The killers themselves are extremes visually and you’re often guessing what their theme is before they even get a proper introduction. The body language, the head movement, add to the dialogue to help create awkward hilarity.
Like so many horror series, it’s hard to top the original. You need to ramp things up in unexpected ways and Where Monsters Lie: Cull-De-Sac #1 does that. Much like the original, it caused me to pause and laugh, a smirk on my face at the twisted ideas, and has me excited to see what’s next.
Story: Kyle Starks Art: Piotr Kowalski
Color: Vladimir Popov Letterer: Joshua Reed
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
