APPROBATION COMICS
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
LETTERS: Elisa Coletti
EDITORS: John P. Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER: Marcelo Salaza
48pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. / $2.99 U.S. comiXology; (2016; digital release date – August 31, 2016)
Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only – comiXology rating
The Beast is a one-shot horror comic book from Approbation Comics. It is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez; colored by Schimerys Baal; and lettered by Elisa Coletti. The story focuses on a group of college friends (or “frenemies”), a mangled hunter, and an unidentifiable creature.
The Beast introduces college students: Parker, Julia, Henry, Ben, Sue, Clark, Anna, and Kelly. They take an RV into the woods to swim, to fun, and to fuck each other silly. However, old rivalries and simmering grudges rear their ugly heads. In fact, Ben is sure that Kelly is going to give him some shaky pudding, but he discovers something about her that brings out the beast in him. Meanwhile, a hunter with a mangled arm and an unknown creature are awaiting them in the woods.
I have to say that The Beast is not one of Approbation Comics' better efforts, although it is an entertaining read. As usual, however, B. Alex Thompson, the modern master of meat-grinder horror comics, turns in a gleefully violent tale of terror dismemberment
Artists Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez still seem to be in the awkward composition phase, but they work hard on the storytelling. Colorist Schimerys Baal splashes enough red around to have us swimming in blood to read this comic book. Letterer Elisa Coletti continues to keep lettering in Approbation Comics strong.
The Beast reminds me of Thompson's crazy-ass and crazy-as-hell original graphic novel, Southern Hospitality (which predates The Beast by a few years). Both comics are about ordinary people who are really insane slash monstrous killers or are ordinary people who must learn to hack and slash other ordinary people to death. As I said earlier, The Beast is not great, but this comic book is meat for the beast... you know is inside you.
6 out of 10
Buy The Beast at comiXology.
www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.
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