And you wonder why people scream on the roller coaster?
Creative Staff:
Writers: Pat Shand & Dave Franchini
Artwork: Allan Otero
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Ghosts and spirits have been with us since man first started walking the earth. What are they and what do they want? Why do some mean us harm? One team of paranormal investigators sets out to answer those questions, hunting the vengeful spirits that cross over into our world and facing the most terrifying hauntings man has ever known.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
People are supposed to have fun at carnivals, but when this travelling side show visits in North Carolina, amusement is not in store for the visitors. A series of deadly accidents have occurred wherever this troop of workers have shown up, and now Dr. Chase and his team are being sent to investigate. Their mysterious benefactor has some interest in this case, so it must have something to do with the paranormal, but even Vera can’t figure out the reason behind the intrigue. However, when the team does arrive, they soon see that there is something more sinister behind the incidents than the employees realize. They never stay in one place too long, always packing up before there can be any in depth investigations.
By the time the group arrives at the scene of the latest mishap, the employees are closing down, ready to leave for the next town. The manager is of little help, insisting the rides are safe and gives no indication as to who or what is to blame for the accidents; even when they press for an answer, he brushes off the question, more concerned about the welfare of his own men than the deaths cause by their rides. As Chase and Ellen wander around the fairgrounds, his empathic friend senses nothing, aside from anger which could be from the victim or something else. Curtis and Ferguson do not turn up anything when they interview the witness and the ride’s operator is certain he strapped the girl in before it started. But when Ellen sees a spectral apparition in the fun house while finishing their inspection, it now seems there is something else plaguing the area rather than simple misfortune.
In Summary:
With a shift in writers, I was hoping for Spirit Hunters to have a change in its overall attitude, but unfortunately, no such luck. Even with Pat Shand and Dave Franchini constructing this spectral tale, the series still feels empty, with stories more driven by events rather than the characters. This is why I love Shand’s stories: he always gives us tales which have a cast that are invested in the circumstances of the situation, they either have something to lose or gain by what happens in the narrative. While everyone in this title appears to have been effected by some supernatural incident or is affected by Dr. Chase’s influence, that seems to be the only reason they are investigating these incidents. None of them aside from Ellen have any lasting impact on the overall scheme of the series and the cases which they oversee have no carry over as to emotional repercussions. While Shand and Franchini’s tale is tantalizing by giving us another explanation as to amusement park accidents and adding the chill factor to those speculations, the current cast can sadly be substituted for other paranormal investigators and it would be just as fascinating.
Even with such a sensitive subject as carnival accidents being in the news, Allan Otero still manages to stun us with the gruesome beauty of his haunting imagery and Jorge Cortes heightens those illustrations with his masterful use of a spectral palette to thrust those spirits right into the reader’s face. I love how Otero is able to start with a projecting such ordinary scene such as getting on a roller coaster, and then flip the horror switch on the next page without giving us any forewarn notice. Cortes’s wide array of colors expands the possibilities of that ride, the dramatic shade of midnight blue widens the audience’s view as it encompasses the surroundings and then swallows us with that same toned ghoulish apparition. The entirety of both talents work so well together, bringing such gruesomeness into the real world by springing it onto us with such force that we are shocked by its effectiveness. To shift from the ethereal into the physical and then slam the reality of death with a horrific panel: showing the hinted sensuality at a peak of black lingerie while we focus on the twisted neck and rolled back eyes of the victim. And as if we are not disturbed enough by that image, we are then jolted back by the ghastly apparition on the following page, so grotesquely imbued with a sickly fluorescent green that we think it will jump from the mirror. This is artwork that will haunt you tonight.
While I can understand that this is only second issue, I still wish we could have some background information on the characters, as to how or why they would ever want to pursue such opportunities. Although we have been given glimpses as to how they were burdened by spirits, as they stand now, I really can’t see how more tales will expand such a barren and lifeless cast. Spirit Hunters has potential, but as for now, it just seems we are going through preset stories to set the mood, without knowing the actors’ inspiration for taking the role. Hopefully it will in improve … otherwise I am sorry to say, we will have to suffer through a long and boring movie.
Grade: B+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: December 21, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
