ADVANCE REVIEW! Nailbiter #1


Will this series have you biting your nails with anticipation or will it be having you do so with boredom? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

Buckaroo, Oregon has given birth to sixteen of the vilest serial killers in the world. An obsessed FBI profiler investigating the town has suddenly gone missing, and now an NSA Agent must work with the notorious serial killer Edward “Nailbiter” Warren to find his friend and solve the mystery of “Where do serial killers come from?” “If Josh died I wish he’d leave NAILBITER to me in his will so I could say it was my idea.” -Scott Snyder (SEVERED, Batman, American Vampire)

Nailbiter #1Image just keep creating great series after great series as following many terrific #1’s you can now add Nailbiter to you’re must read Image series. This series about multiple serial killers from the same town has really delivered, being a very gripping and enjoyable opening. The choice behind the titular characters victims has to be one of the most bizarre that I’ve seen in comics yet as he choices people who bite their nails (hope he doesn’t live near me then). He does however make a very brief appearance in this opening issue however as despite it still being amazing this was ever so slightly upsetting.

Joshua Williamson has really delivered something phenomenal here as though the story has a long way to go before becoming legendary it is certainly off to the right start. The way that Williamson uses the Nailbiter character as a lead in to the actual story was very clever as it gives the kind of gripping feel that a horror series needs. I do however feel that it’ll be the detective work that will appeal to me the most in the long run as with a missing FBI profiler it leaves a lot of mystery. Another thing I loved about this opening issue was the dramatic and gripping tone as it was very captivating throughout.

Mike Henderson is the perfect artist for this series with his gritty style fitting brilliantly with the tone of the story. Henderson’s layouts also have a lot of impact of the overall look of this issue with the intensity of it being truly amazing. Added to this the captivating characteristics and the lively expressions and this story quickly comes to life. Combine all this with tremendous inks and colours and you have a series that is visually breathtaking, enhancing the suspense and tension.

Nailbiter is a must have series for Image fans as it’s mysterious and gritty story will have you one the edge of your seats. Highly recommended.

OUR RATING
9.5
  • + Nailbiting stuff from Joshua Williamson.
  • + Gripping artwork from Mike Henderson.
  • + Intriguing opening issue.
  • - Edward could have featured a bit more.

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