Review: Hack/Slash #12

I’m sure at this point Tim Seeley is probably tired of me reviewinghis work each week, but frankly I’ve had nothing but praise lately. That’s notto say that I won’t always, but for now he is producing some of his best work. Hack/Slash is a book that I’ve followednear the beginning of its creation and eventually when it restarted at Image Igrew pretty tired of it. Something about this week told me to give it anotherchance and I’ll say that I’m glad that I did.

The issue opens with Cassie, Samhain and Cat Curio on acharter boat-plane over the Caribbean. They’re heading to an Island that mayhouse the cure for the Slasher disease. As they land Cat tells the group abouther research into the island and the movie studio that has lead them there. This isthe part that gets cool, because they talk about the possibility of their beinggiant monsters. Hold the fucking phone that is awesome! Really this is probablythe coolest concept introduced into the comic since the idea that Slashers arecaused by a disease.

I won’t go into too much about the movie studio and all ofCat’s research because there is something really charming about the dialog. Thegist is that every “B” monster movie creature from yesterdays may in fact bereal and very dangerous.

I reallyenjoyed the writing and story for this issue. I think the fact that the amountof supporting cast characters being toned down helps a lot. Then there is the factthat this is venturing out of the norm for our characters which pushes theminto situations that you can’t simple guess the ending to. I also enjoyed thefact that Vlad was missing from the series. He’s a great character and he andCassie have wonderful chemistry, but it again mixes it up by not having each otherto rely on.

The art is as good as I remember it and really this bookseems to be hitting a new stride that’s refreshing. If like me you gave up onthis series or just fell out of love with it, then I recommend giving thisissue a shot. The concept of the monsters alone is worth the price of thepurchase. I for one will be back next month to continue the adventure andlooking forward to what awaits.

Score: 3/5

Writer: Tim Seeley

Artist: Daniel Leister

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.50

Release Date: 1/18/2012