In Winnebago Graveyard #1, an American family traveling on vacation finds themselves stranded in a small town with a sinister secret. This horror-adventure story about a family stuck on a road trip gone terribly awry is filled with creepy fairgrounds, nefarious characters, seedy conspiracies, towns full of satanists, and a teenager. What else could possibly go wrong?

I’m rather mixed on horror stories with them being rather hit and miss for me. I couldn’t say exactly what I enjoy, I just know I enjoy it. Winnebago Graveyard is the type of horror I enjoy with a solid build up in a first issue that’s full of creepiness and enough to make me squirm and be full of lots of questions. In other words, I really want to see what happens next.

Written by Steve Niles, Winnebago Graveyard reminds me a lot of classic horror films especially that of the 70s but infused with a somewhat modern take playing off the uneasiness that pervades America. Niles is a master storyteller, especially when it comes to horror, and everything presented is done so in a way that it adds to the story or cuts off the usual tropes and traps we see in this sort of tale.  But, what Niles does especially well is set the mood that gave me an uneasy feeling throughout the story.

That’s helped by Alison Sampson‘s art which is helped by Stephane Paitreau‘s colors. The art enhances the mood, especially giving us the 70s throwback meets modern time mix that works so well. Sampson’s art enhances the uneasiness throughout the story with things never being quite perfect and slightly off. Whether done on purpose or just Sampson’s style it works so well for this story helping keep the reader off balance and upping the creep factor.

As I said, I’m not of a horror person and I know what I like when I see it. I really liked this first issue as it was both familiar and left me wondering where things are going and what’s happening next. This is a must for horror fans.

Winnebago Graveyard #1 is in stores June 14.

Story: Steve Niles Art: Alison Sampson
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.80 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review