We got a bit of a tease of Dark Ride in Skybound’s Skybound X anthology. It was a glimpse of the horror themed park but not much beyond that. The visuals were great and there was a twisted sense to it. Dark Ride #1 officially kicks off the anticipated series co-created by Joshua Williamson and Andrei Bressan and delivers a perfect debut for the Halloween season.

Written by Williamson, Dark Ride #1 takes us to the scariest place on Earth after a brief tease of the concept. The story is smart focusing on a new hire whose first day delivers a tour of the park and introduction to the characters. It’s a park on the edge with declining revenue and needing something to excite attendees and fans. We eventually meet the trio of individuals at the head of the park, siblings who don’t get along and a recluse of a father and founder of it all. But, it’s that new hire that’s the interesting aspect.

Like a Tales from the Crypt or other horror anthology series, Williamson delivers a nice twist at the end of things that’ll take the series in a somewhat unexpected direction. It’s a nice move that creates so much potential for what’s to come and delivers a bit of fun to the horror of it all. There’s an underlying aspect that’ll keep readers guessing where it’s all going to go.

The art by Andrei Bressan is excellent. With color by Adriano Lucas and lettering by Pat Brosseau, Dark Ride #1 has a look that feels like it’d fit this sort of world in real life. There’s a scariness about the park but one that’s also a bit commercial. There’s a pop sense to it all and that’s enhanced by the bright colors (reds and yellows) and design of the characters. It’s horror barely on the surface, commercial and watered down in ways. A “horror” that’s easily digestible by the public but there’s a bit of dread underneath it all.

Dark Ride #1 is an interesting and intriguing debut. There’s a lot of directions it can go and with the way the first issue plays out, who knows what’s to come. There’s a fun ride to it all, one that horror fans and beyond will want to check out.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Andrei Bressan
Color: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle