Wire Hangers #1 Review

Freddie Krueger, Candyman, I'm sure a huge list of mutilated characters in the horror genre could be made. You'll probably notice from the cover image the hangers weaving in and around this characters flesh, and you might be expecting more of the same. Wire Hangersis certainly steadfast in its deliverance of horror, but add conspiracy, add thrills and add one hell of an atmosphere and you have one substantial read that is certainly not "more of the same".

That disfigured person on the cover, he's Johnathon Cypra, and the a lot of the greatness of this comic comes from the fact that he is humanized within the first few pages. It may be portrayed through a surreal painkiller induced dream while he's blacked out, but as a reader your instantly connected with his character, and throughout the rest of the issue that connection leaves you wondering who the bad guys are.

"Suicide King Killer Claims Two More!"  is the headline of the rain soaked newspaper a few pages in and its against this backdrop that the other main players come into play. There's Detective Barillo, pill popper, user of prostitites, man who hasn't been able to save victims one through to twenty-seven. There's Anna, undercover investigative reporter, and some one who has turned Cypra's head. There's the guys who turn up in a federal truck. Hang on, why have these guys turned up in a federal truck?

"Jack-of-All-Trades" Alan Robert not only paces things perfectly through the issue, ramping up the mystery page-by-page turning page, but the ambience created with his color and lighting is perfect. His meld of harsh pencil with what I assume are computer manipulated backdrops create a haunting backdrop to enhance a mood that simply envelops you.

Wire Hangers #1 is a 32 page comic with no-ads, just cover to cover story. Its also a remarkable entrance to the graphic storytelling world. Now how long is it until issue #2?