COMIC BOOK REVIEW: NAILBITER VOL. 2: BLOODY HANDS / WRITER: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON / ARTIST: MIKE HENDERSON / PUBLISHER: IMAGE / RELEASE DATE: MARCH 17TH
It is hard to come by a truly great horror mystery that has been written in the past few years. However, it seems the comic world are getting it right and Nailbiter is definitely leading the way. This gripping tale of serial killers all born from the same town known as Buckaroo continues with the next five issues delivering jaw-dropping drama with horrifically awesome plot twists.
Our two protagonists, local Officer Crane and army interrogator Finch continue their investigation into what happened to their friend, Agent Eliot Caroll. Dreadful secrets are revealed along with grisly deaths. Who is this butcher in the horned mask? What is Charles ‘The Nailbiter’ Warren really planning? Does he even have real plans? There is a lot going on in Buckaroo, but co-creator and writer Joshua Williamson has a talent for keeping you in the dark whilst allowing your intrigue to do its own investigating. It’s the best slasher comic series since Tim Seeley’s Hack/Slash, only Nailbiter is grittier, set around a lot more mystery (look out for the Hack/Slash v Nailbiter crossover).
It has all the fun of a slasher movie with all the drama of a procedural TV show. Mike Henderson, artist and co-creator does a fine job in bringing the story to life in a subtle style. He also knows how to create the creepiest, hellish characters and his ink splatters gives the comic a grim and foreboding feel. It’s in the art where all the little hints towards the plot really are. If you’re also a big comic book fan in general then you will appreciate the appearance of a popular comic writer (not Stan Lee). Exciting and hair-raising it’s a sure fire way to get your horror fix.
