This series from Zenescope has managed at times to provide some definitely spooky issues, and it is despite the fact that comics do not provide a very good platform for horror stories.  What this series has managed to utilize is two-fold.  It takes the formula which was used in the early days of Grimm Fairy Tales by using both a story and an out-of-continuity morality lesson, and combines it with what is a fairly common stereotype or plot from horror stories.  It doesn’t always work for this series, but as many have worked which haven’t which is a pretty good success for a series such as this one.

This story incorporates in one of the fairly common motifs in storytelling for horrors, and then expands on it with some more.  The initial setup is that of two college students going to visit their grieving professor after the death of his wife.  Once they arrive they discover that there is much more to the professor’s house than what they had first anticipated with a daughter who is enticingly beautiful.  This is a play on the haunted house story, and throws in one of the lesser used motifs, that of the girl that shouldn’t be touched, and plays upon it, bringing in some inspiration from what could be Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Day of the Triffids.  Incidentally it has been the case that the morality tale is what gives the story more depth in this series, but it mostly is irrelevant here.  It is easy enough to see where the morality tale is going, and acts as more of a distraction from the fun bit of horror that the creative team has managed to put together.

Although this issue relies on some of the lesser famous motifs of the horror genre, it still manages to put together a strong issue.  The horror element is executed well enough, as is the twist ending.  While series is ostensibly linked to the lessons as taught by Keres, it doesn’t even require this as a plot element here, instead relying on the dark concept and good execution.

Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco and Steve Yockey Art: Vincenzo Riccardi
Story: 8.3 Art: 8.3 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Read