How best to describe the plot of Cold Spots? Imagine a healthy dollop of H.P. Lovecraft, served with a sprinkle of Twin Peaks and a dash of Rosemary’s Baby and you’ll be on the right track. Unfortunately, the book can’t hope to match the quality of its iconic influences, but it is nonetheless an entertaining read. When Dan Kerr discovers that the wife and child he walked out on a decade ago have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, he ventures out to the isolated Quarrels Island in a desperate search to find them.
Where Cold Spots really excels is in the mesmerising artwork provided by Mark Torres. His stunning visuals create a world that feels truly nightmarish, with lurking shadows in every panel and a macabre colour palette that contains otherworldly shades of pink, orange and green. This outstanding design work goes a long way to enforcing the book’s consistently menacing atmosphere, but that isn’t to belittle the scripting of Cullen Bunn.
The dialogue he pens appropriately fits this eerie tone, with some particularly enjoyable encounters between Dan and the somewhat peculiar residents of the mainland. However, this is also where we find the problem with Cold Spots. A brief interaction with an unimportant local is somehow far more memorable than any of the scenes shared between the book’s major characters. Dan’s estranged wife Alyssa is particularly disadvantaged, so severely lacking in autonomy or initiative that she quickly becomes a vaguely irritating presence.
The main antagonists are hit with a similar affliction, displaying little to no motivation behind their actions and thus failing to leave a lasting impression. These character shortcomings are by no means a fatal flaw, but they do keep Cold Spots from achieving its full potential. Admittedly, Bunn looks to have future stories in mind for this universe which could go some way to rectifying these problems, but if you’re looking for a standalone read then you should be aware of them.
As it is, Cold Spots isn’t incredible but certainly worth a look for fans of ghost stories or cosmic horror, particularly if you’re an art buff who likes hauntingly beautiful illustrations.
TITLE: COLD SPOTS | AUTHOR: CULLEN BUNN | ARTIST: MARK TORRES | PUBLISHER: IMAGE COMICS | RELEASE DATE: MARCH 5TH
