Piecemeal is a new horror comic one-shot from Cullen Bunn, a creator who has proven again and again his mastery of the genre. Bunn delivers a comic that feels like a perfect read to curl up with a warm fire and enjoy during a dark and spooky night.

The story revolves around a group of kids whose time together is wrapping up as their lives post high school lay before them. Enter the Nightmare House, the source of local legend and superstition. What they discover inside will change their lives… and end them as well.

Bunn delivers a solid haunted house story. It feels like a B-horror movie in so many ways and that’s not a bad thing at all. There’s something enjoyable about old schlocky horror films, and many of their recent remakes, and this one-shot leans into the concept. It doesn’t have to make sense, it’s just supposed to deliver some scares and unsettle the readers in some ways and it does both.

How individuals will die. What’s going on. It all just kind of happens and we accept it. There’s no need, or reason, to dive too deeply into the “how”, instead the comic focuses on the why. It creates that story you’d tell around a campfire to scare and entertain your friends. You go with the flow and want to see who gets killed and how.

Szymon Kudranski‘s art adds to the atmosphere with a moody style full of mystery. With lettering by Marshall Dillon, the art delivers a poetic vibe about Bunn’s dialogue and plot. Kudranski focuses on blues and purples delivering a “dark” style to the comic but still one that’s clear as to what’s going on. There’s also plenty of horror and gore without going over the top to distract. Much is left to the reader’s imagination making the deaths a bit more horrific as our minds fill in the gaps.

Piecemeal is just a well done horror one-shot comic. There’s nothing groundbreaking to it, it’s just done to a solid quality. For those that enjoy the genre, it’s a comic worth checking out and curling up to read. The story and art deliver an atmosphere and mood that brings chills during these cold fall and winter nights.

Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Szymon Kudranski
Color: Szymon Kudranski Letterer: Marshall Dillon
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

AfterShock provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle