ADVANCE REVIEW! Sons of the Devil #1

Is this cult horror something to add to your pull? Or is this one of the Image Expo titles to skip? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

From New York Times bestselling writer BRIAN BUCCELLATO and artist TONI INFANTE comes a psychological horror story about TRAVIS, an average guy trying to get by, who discovers that he has familial ties to a deadly cult. Told across three decades, SONS OF THE DEVIL is an exploration of cults, family, and the dark side of human nature. It’s TRUE DETECTIVE and ORPHAN BLACK meets HELTER SKELTER.

This years Image Expo left comic fans a lot to mull over, as with so many intriguing series on the horizon, choosing what ones to add to the pull list wasn’t easy. There was however a few that proved to be a no-brainer for this fanboy, with Sons of the Devil being one of them. Introducing us to the life of orphan, Travis Crowe, in a dramatic, almost soap opera way, this series certainly intrigues, with there being a lot of depth to this character. It is on the other hand the more mysterious, and horrific elements of the latter half that really captivate, as though it’s not a gore fest, it manages to instill a thrilling sense of dread.

Brian Buccellato may very well have created his best work to date in Sons of the Devil, as though there’s some follow-up work before the series can prove it’s true worth, the concept, and dramatic atmosphere more than impressed. The way that the writer slowly leads the reader into the more shocking elements of this tale also amazed, with the subtle leads showing great storytelling. If this wasn’t all enough to have readers excited, then the chilling way Buccellato rounds off this opening issue will, with the creepy connections to main character Travis leaving a teasing cliffhanger.

If I could describe the artwork on this series in one word it would be: mesmerizing. Having a rough, yet detailed finish, Toni Infante‘s illustrations are more than perfectly suited to this tale, with the gritty texture throughout helping to cement the atmosphere within. The dramatic, and somewhat cinematic way that the artist handles the layouts also impressed, with each panel managing to draw in the eye. Infante also manages to give a rustic look to the scenery, and along with the dark shading in his colours, it allows for a thrilling finish.

Sons of the Devil is the kind of dramatic horror that fans need, as though there’s plenty of amazing horror stories already on the shelves, there are few that handle the genre in a way that is both dramatic and realistic. The character depth and mysterious plot elements also make this a series worth picking up, as along with the amazing art, it’s bound to leave readers eager for more.