I generally didn’t have pets growing up. There was a tortoise and some fish, but beyond that it wasn’t until college where I lived for a long time with an animal that could do whatever it wanted. Since, there’s been some small stints with cats, who liked me far more than I liked them. In recent years, I’ve thought about bringing a cat into our family, maybe one of the strays that wander our yard. After reading Hairball #1, I’m rethinking that.

 The story focuses on a very dysfunctional family. A young adopted girl must witness her new parents fight and marriage meltdown as a new cat acts rather mysteriously. Is this “beast” behind all of the troubles? The parents fighting? The girl’s sickness?

Written by Matt Kindt, the comic is creepy in so many ways. Simple acts are turned into moments of horror and dread as they slowly spread and infect the story. And while Kindt delivers slowly building horror, the real horror is the parents themselves.

An abusive father. A mother who might be an alcoholic and also abusive. Finances melting away. It’s all moments that are very human and grounded that makes the comic’s true scares the family dynamic itself. Nothing is healthy in any way when it comes to anyone in the comic.

All of the ominous dark clouds that hover through the comic are enhanced by Tyler Jenkins‘ art. With beautifully haunted colors by Hilary Jenkins and lettering by Tyler, the comic has a look that feels both grounded and supernatural. But, like the dynamic of the parents, the details of the visuals really stand out. A frayed wire, an electronic being knocked off a shelf near a bath, it all comes together to add small amounts of dread as you expect things to spiral further into horror.

Hairball #1 is an interesting comic. It leaves you pondering which is scarier, whatever the cat is up to or the adults? It perfectly delivers a haunting dark cloud hanging over the issue, building a vibe that’s unsettling. There may be a cute cat on the cover, but what’s inside is anything but.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Tyler Jenkins
Color: Hilary Jenkins Letterer: Tyler Jenkins
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle