The Face in the Curtain is the latest adventure for Mandy the Monster Hunter, a character first introduced to comic book fans back in 2011. As ever with Mandy, trouble is brewing and it’s up to her to stare evil in its ugly face once more.
For those not familiar with Mandy, having battled her fair share of all things that go bump in the night, she’s seen as a symbol of hope for kids everywhere when it comes to what lurks under their beds and what rests within the shadows. When a troubled child draws a picture of what it is that’s terrifying them, Mandy arrives on the scene to save the day. The thing is, in The Face in the Curtain, has Mandy finally bitten off more than she can chew?
When young Nola is being terrorized by the ominous Face in the Curtain, Mandy is her only hope. Using the help of her trusty Boggart assistant, Humphrey, Mandy plots a course for “way up North” to find the beastly terror that prowls the isolated castle home of poor Nola. As soon becomes clear, though, the threat here isn’t your usual run-of-the-mill beastie, and the evil that lurks in the shadows and beyond isn’t playing by the rules.
The first full length, full colour graphic novel for Mandy the Monster Hunter, The Face in the Curtain is an enjoyable romp of a ride overflowing with character and enough ghoulish delights to satiate the appetite of even the most ardent horror comic fans. The plot itself is delicately unraveled, and the artwork and colouring is fantastic, particularly when it comes to detailing the vast array of different monsters that lurk within the pages of the book. Additionally, the story ultimately has some fantastic depth to it as things progress, and there’s a fantastic blend of heart and horror on show here. One slight negative, however, is that some of the initial dialogue feels a tad unnatural, stuffy and clunky in how Nola and some of her classmates speak to each other, but that’s certainly only a small issue that doesn’t generally take away from the enjoyment of the book.
Perfect for younger comic book fans or those looking for a warmhearted, well-meaning horror tale, The Face in the Curtain is another example as to how versatile the horror output of the guys at Hellbound Media – the team behind the likes of the gloriously depraved Slaughterhouse Farm – can be, and again reiterates that this is a group of talented, twisted individuals to keep your eye on.
MANDY THE MONSTER HUNTER: THE FACE IN THE CURTAIN / WRITER: MATT WARNER / ARTIST: ATLANTISVAMPIR / COLOURIST: CAPUCINE DRAPALA / LETTER: NIKKI FOXROBOT / EDITOR: MARK ADAMS / PUBLISHER: HELLBOUND MEDIA / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW 
