The Butcher’s Boy # 1
Plot: Landry Q. Walker & Pannel Vaughn
Script: Landry Q. Walker
Artist: Justin Greenwood
Colorist: Brad Simpson
Letterer: Pat Brousseau
Cover Date: May 2024
Rating: 09/10
This week I will look at “The Butcher’s Boy” a new horror series from Dark Horse Comics. Within the backroads of the Pacific Northwest, an entire town fell victim to the brutal cleaver of the Butcher of La Perdita and in that time the generational nightmare of murder and meat has been reduced to morbid clickbait folklore for bored travelers. And yet some say the Butcher still haunts the streets at night, seeking fresh meat for his larder. Six friends on a road trip are about to find out as they set foot on the latest tourist trend to score some food and possibly find themselves full of fear.
Imagine every troupe from a David Lynch film, combine it with anything from a David Cronenberg film then toss in all the elements that would make a good slasher film and you get “The Butcher’s Boy”; Every page is filled with mystery and suspense with a real emphasis on displaying the gory and bloody aspects of this story while addressing the main character’s dynamic as their fun road trip gets pushed to the side by a good ounce of drama (It turns out that one of the characters named Chris was sort of in a relationship with a woman known as Frankie, feels very much like a “Ross and Rachel” situation to say the least) and while you could guess their fate, it’s interesting to see this small group of friends engrossed in a world that they know nothing about especially when one has to take into consideration all the horrific scenery such as the evil-looking dogs eating meat or what will happen when the gang meets the townspeople.
What I feel will draw readers in is the first few pages as the characters plan their road trip while flashing forward to the gory and frightening predicament they find themselves in which is such brilliant storytelling on Landry Q. Walker’s part all while making sure the premise itself is balanced enough for the readers to follow. Justin Greenwood is without a doubt the MVP of this series as his art presents such brutal bits and pieces that amp up the atmosphere but paired with Brad Simpson’s coloring, it really highlights the terrifying tone of this opening issue. When it comes to horror stories, such elements can be used over and over but while “The Butcher’s Boy” won’t be looked at for its originality, it still packs enough horrifying moments to make the story interesting that makes the “SAW” franchise look like a Saturday morning cartoon series.
Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks for sticking around and I will see you all next time.
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