As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men. Fifty years later, a troubled young writer interviews this so-called “Deviant Killer,” who still maintains his innocence from behind bars. And as Christmas approaches once again, the past returns, wielding a sharpened ax. The Deviant #1 delivers some ho-ho-holy shit in a blood soaked debut.

There’s been a string of “holiday horror” stories in recent years, with Christmas being one that has seen multiple takes. The Deviant #1 is a new one that feels like part slasher and part psychological horror of Silence of the Lambs.

Written by James Tynion IV, The Deviant #1 takes us through multiple decades. First, it builds up to gruesome murders that leave little to the imagination and from there the present day as a writer attempts to get material for a project while also dealing with his own connection to the town the murders took place in. But, the man behind bars might not have been the actual killer as it looks like the murders might be beginning again.

There’s a lot to take in with this debut. On its surface, it’s just a solid slasher horror story that takes place during Christmas. But, Tynion takes things further with the original “Deviant Killer.” We learn a lot about him during an interview where the character comes off more as Hannibal Lecter than anything else. Tynion lays the cards on the table, this original killer is a pedophile, having taken photos of young boys. But, he swears he did nothing beyond that. There’s discussions of the introduction to being “queer” for some are the killers in real life or those in entertainment. Ed Gein is mentioned as an example, but there’s a long list including Lecter. There’s a little bit of a statement for the need of more positive queer characters by that little bit alone.

But, the comic also is uncomfortable in that way as well. In that extended scene, Tynion will surely reinforce negative perceptions about those who are “deviants” and queer in some readers. They will equate pedophilia, and murderers with those who are LGBTQ+. But, for a long time the media did this anyways, and that may part of Tynion’s point.

Some of that unease is delivered by Joshua Hixson. Yes, there’s a hell of a lot of gore and some solid moments beyond that but it’s the back and forth between a writer and a prisoner that’s most tense. Tynion’s dialogue is a perfect back and forth but Hixson delivers a tight visual ping pong as well. You can feel the volley as the two adults go back and forth, one clearly playing more than the other. It adds to the unease of what’s said, creating a scene that’s memorable beyond the comic and evokes the back and forth of Agent Starling and Lecter in the film. The lettering by Hasan Otsmane-Elhaou is key throughout the comic really nailing down the emotional moments throughout and helping enhance the back and forth of the interview.

The story as a whole is intriguing with some gruesome murders and two characters who are more psychological than slasher. You can see the influences for The Deviant #1 and it takes what works from them and uses them really well. More importantly, it’s just entertaining horror that promises to slash through the cheer of the holiday season and deliver a bloody good time.

Story: James Tynion IV Art: Joshua Hixson Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
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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