Be Not Afraid #1 is written by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and published by BOOM! Studios. Artwork is by Lisandro Estherren, colours by Francesco Segala and Gloria Martinelli, with letters by Simon Bowland.
Be Not Afraid #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Cora Reims lived the isolated life of a simple farm girl until one fateful summer day, prophetic visions brought her a visitor made of pure light… an angel. In the aftermath, Cora gave birth to a child, a Nephilim: the offspring of an angel and a human woman, seemingly imbued with evil itself. 17 years later, that child’s cherubic appearance can no longer hide his monstrous nature. Frogs boil in their skins as he passes. Crops rot. The townspeople live in fear, knowing that atrocities follow closely behind him.
Now, on the eve of his 18th birthday, Cora receives a new vision… Heaven itself has called upon her to destroy the abomination born of her own flesh and blood.
Review
Horror, especially in comic book form, can take many different shapes and sizes. Be Not Afraid, the newest release from acclaimed writers Jude Ellison S. Doyle, looks to delve into the depths of gothic folk horror in the Deep South of America and does so to excellent effect.
The first thing that will hit you when reading Be Not Afraid is its unsettling tone that permeates every page. This is primarily down to Lisandro Estherren’s stunning yet haunting artwork, which presents some truly chilling imagery that will be etched into your brain for a while after reading this book. The setting feels lived in, and the expressions of the characters have a slight, otherworldly feel to them, teetering on the line of recognisable and horrifying.
Doyle’s writing here is also perfect for this genre. She paces things in a unique manner that is somehow patient and immediate at the same time. The urgency comes from the non-linear elements of the storytelling on display, whilst the patient, more brooding pacing is expertly drawn out of the conversational moments and the many layers of dread that slowly fill these interactions.
When it comes to its themes, Doyle does not hold back. Amongst all the fear and unease is a feeling of rage that comes from the character Cora. The torment is incredibly well realised through the aforementioned artwork and through the dialogue, which always remains simple but still says so much under the surface. Even when you look at how Jordy is portrayed, both in his mannerisms and the way in which he talks to others, there is a constant feeling of something to fear from him at every single instance.
From the storytelling to the disturbing illustrations, Be Not Afraid establishes itself as a powerhouse of modern gothic horror writing from the word. The atmosphere is hellish but endlessly palpable as this first issue pulls you straight into its thematically rich and dense characters. I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here.
Verdict
Be Not Afraid is a genuine masterclass in horror storytelling. A disturbing tale mixed with beautifully nightmarish artwork results in a comic that is endlessly chilling from start to finish.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
