An interesting essay on the impact of different art styles.  The issue alternates between a high quality, “realistic” style and back to something that could only be described as “Archie-esque”.  This functions to highlight a previously pure and happy town slowly descending into the blight of evil.  This column has previously lambasted Hack/Slash for its direction, but this appears to be a step back in the right direction.  Get back on board people, Cassie Hack is in the house! -Bretzke

Hack/Slash #28

This title is coming dangerously close to the drop list.  What started (in part 1) as a decent story falls away into predictable horror cliche.  While this was the central premise of the comic previously, this time it doesn’t work.  This isn’t “bad movie night” bad, its just sloppy and uncrafted.  Changing the artist in #28 may improve things, though in honesty blaming Bryan Baugh isn’t fair.  This is about the writing.  One more chance! -Bretzke

Hack/Slash #27

Regular subscribers will note that previously I suggested I was close to dropping this book. Tim Seeley was kind enough to deliver a preview copy for perusal and subsequent review, thanks kindly Tim!

Starting with story, this is more what we have come to expect with this book, it’s good Slasher, B grade horror with the standard fixtures; secretive societies, damsels in distress and misunderstood thugs. I will admit that during the reading of this issue I thought the protagonists were completely ‘boned’, to use a phrase, but the story wound and surprises were had. However, I stand by my previous assertion: The art is too ‘cartoony’ to deliver the gravity of the storytelling. This may work for Dead@17, but it’s not suitable here. Enjoy the ride, mild titillation ahead. -Bretzke

Hack/Slash #25

Regular readers will know I make no secret of my love for this book. The writing is usually snappy with well rendered art and that lovely voyeuristic feel to the slasher genre. In contrast, this issue has a nice cover. That’s all. The artistic rendering is childish and overly simplistic and to be honest, I can’t talk as to the veracity of the story, I found the whole book completely unreadable. Coming close to being dropped from my pull list. -Bretzke

Hack/Slash #24