[amazon_link asins=’B079SLC9H6′ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’81b7b8fb-45ad-11e8-b7c8-1db2ef2a578d’]
It may be April, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a good horror story in as it warms up. What better horror story for this time of year than one set in the Jeepers Creepers universe? Dynamite Entertainment is dropping a new series this week that explores the series and aims to flesh out some of its backstory.
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
Grad student Devin Toulson is writing his dream thesis on Myths in American History, but when his research takes him on a journey reaching back centuries, Devin finds something horrifying. Something that crosses cultures, locations, and eras. Something that returns for a bloody feeding every 23 years. Will this young man’s investigation uncover simply an urban legend or will he come face to face with an immortal monster that has terrorized humanity from the shadows since man first walked the country?
Why does this matter?
The mythological element of this character is untapped, mostly because this is a slasher sort of series, which allows a comic to flesh out the character and story. This first issue reveals an interesting twist on the past acts of the monster.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
That’s not a bat!
This issue opens with the Jeepers Creepers monster battered and somewhat down on his luck. He can’t even stay in flight for very long. It sets up a potential arc for the monster before cutting to the protagonist college grad off to Mexico City. Marc Andreyko quickly establishes Devin’s nerdy and clumsy nature, making it easy to feel for the poor guy. He’s a historian of sorts which suits the story since the monster is over 2,000 years old. The beast has hibernated off and on for so long it’s bound to have cropped up in human history.
History is the most intriguing element of this series as the creators reveal the monster’s place in Central American history. I’ll say no more to avoid spoilers, but there’s an interesting flashback that connects Devin’s studies to the beast. This issue also ends with an interesting artifact not unlike the Book of the Dead from Evil Dead that adds to the Jeepers Creepers lore.
The art by Kewber Baal is dark and detailed with full on shots of the monster to open and close the book. The comic isn’t holding back on revealing the monster like the films tend to do, and there’s a good level of detail to make it all look like it belongs in the real world. I particularly liked the flashbacks which use a sepia tone mixed with red that gives it a dread and horror feel.
Awkward.
It can’t be perfect can it?
[amazon_link asins=’B079SLC9H6′ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f161290a-45af-11e8-aa8a-f7146acae49e’]
As it stands, this comic isn’t very scary. It’s more about a college kid stumbling on some hidden history and the monster surviving. To be honest I’m not even sure what the monster is even up to in this comic. You get the impression he’s wounded and sort of moving about, but the cliffhanger is fuzzy on where it’s going. I have a guess (maybe the monster is mad Dustin is on to something?) but it’s depicted in an unclear way.
Is it good?
A good first issue that sets up the protagonist really well. Its handling of the monster is a bit wonky which may throw some off. That said, this comic adds to the Jeepers Creepers story in exciting and intriguing ways.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.