After weeks of grueling rehearsals, a new production is set to begin at the famed Requiem theatre: Razide’s Lament, three acts of gothic horror set inside a haunted castle with a story that some say is more than mere fantasy. Under the stern rule of a dedicated but temperamental director, the script seems to be ever-changing, and, more mysterious still, our lead actress has found herself cast in the role of a lifetime without so much as an audition. Lamentation #1 really lays into the concept that the show must go on in an unnerving debut.

Writer Cullen Bunn has shown he’s a master of horror. With his name, you can expect an entertaining read and often something a little different. Lamentation #1 continues that with an intriguing story that feels like a play within a play, in a situation that spans worlds but is also rather confining.

It’s hard to really describe what works about Lamentation #1 without spoiling the twists and turns. At its core is a mysterious play that must happen. While the narrative flashes between the world the play takes place in and the actors on the stage, the overall feel of the comic is one of confinement. There’s a sense of constricting dread and uneasiness as the story progresses. Now, I fully expected something far worse to happen, but where the story takes us is a house of horror, it just so happens that this house is a theater.

Arjuna Susini‘s art, Hilary Jenkins‘ color, and Simon Bowland‘s lettering helps set the situation. The art really emphasizes the worn down nature of the theater and the actors with a look and color palette that makes it clear things are a little off. There’s a sickliness and dirtiness about it all that plays into the situation and perfectly applies to both worlds we’re shown. The focus on the stage and then underneath the theater creates a claustrophobic world and the run down nature emphasizes that further as it’s a world you don’t want to touch making it even tinier.

Lamentation #1 is an interesting debut. It takes a familiar concept and moves it to a new location, mixing things up more than enough to keep readers on their toes. As expected, the team delivers a great first comic that tells just enough and teases just enough to create a solid mystery and at the same time putting it in a situation that creates a bit of dread as to where it’s all going. It’s what Bunn does really well, deliver a story that leaves the reader slightly off and wanting more.

Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Arjuna Susini
Color: Hilary Jenkins Letterer: Simon Bowland
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle