Published by Image Comics, Vinyl #1 is written by Doug Wagner and illustrated by Daniel Hillyard & Dave Stewart. Hillyard and Stewart also provide cover artwork.
Vinyl #1 releases in print and on digital where all good comics are sold from June 23, 2021. Grab your digital copy from Comixology right here.
Synopsis
Plastic creators Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard return with Eisner Award winner Dave Stewart for an unsettling tale of psychopaths, sweet love, and a serial killer named Walter. When Walter’s best friend, the FBI agent charged with his capture, is kidnapped by a death cult of all-female sunflower farmers, Walter finds himself deep within an underground labyrinth filled with secrets and monsters…but are their monsters more horrific than his?
Review
Being a fan of horror/slasher comics, the synopsis for Vinyl certainly appealed to me. Opening a comic book to see monsters and blood splatter I know it’s going to be a fun ride. But what we get in terms of story with Vinyl #1 is far more in-depth that simple gore.
Writer Doug Wagner sets out a chilling story of serial killers and death cults, using powerful words combined with Hillyard & Stewarts eye grabbing and at times graphic illustrations to grab the attention of the reader. It all brings the story to life. A story that is deep in mystery and intrigue unfolds before your eyes intricately weaving together different storylines to make one deep and dark comic. Its interpretation of a female death cult and serial killers all adds up to what looks to be an interestingly dark series. It’s clear that Wagner is laying the foundations for a dark, graphic story with yet more darkness to come.
I liked the way Wagner has portrayed Walter, the charismatic serial killer, in a way that you can’t help but like him, so much so I actually want to sit and have a cuppa with him! (disclaimer – I don’t make a habit of having tea with serial killers!) Maybe as the story arc progresses we could see a bad guy turned good with Walter as we do see signs in the book that he’s not a one dimensional character.
The illustration work by Daniel Hillyard and Dave Stewart is beautiful. The immense detail put into every panel dutifully brings Wagner’s story to life whilst adding the the uneasy feeling to the book. I loved the use of deep, bold colours to add a warmth and texture to the story.
Verdict
Vinyl #1 builds a satisfying foundation for the series to come. A chilling story of revenge and payback mixed with a bucket load of blood and gore. With a story building towards a gory fright fest, I’m here for everything the creative team is giving us.
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