Perhaps is it best to let things go … even after death?
Creative Staff:
Writers: Marty Scott
Artwork: Jason Muhr
Colors: Robby Bevard
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
In this all-new horrifying tale, the Spirit Hunters investigate a gruesome mystery at a racetrack. As they delve deeper into this haunting, following up on a trail of horrific clues, they suddenly find themselves in a life or death situation.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
With team reunited after Ellen’s recovery, their first new case from the mysterious benefactor is to scrutinize a car crash in Los Angeles. While they are skeptical as to the validity of a supernatural connection, the victims having scratched off their own faces is a positive indication. So the group splits up, with guys volunteering to talk to police and girls to the crime scene, so they can leave L.A. as soon as possible. However even with their impressive credentials, the guys still have problems with the lead detective, claiming that he cannot release any information on an active investigation; plus he is positive the case is closed since he claims both had a psychotic break and not murder, even with the doubt of two incidents triggered at the same time. But Ellen and Vera have more luck at the crime scene on Mulholland Drive, as our resident psychic finds evidence of acid in the spirit world, concluding it was how the couple died.
After work hours, the policeman finally opens up about the case at a local diner, confessing he was afraid team’s involvement would draw too much attention. Showing pictures of the latest victim, an attendant at the impound yard, Dr. Chase sees same facial lacerations and suspects he died identically, also inside the car. After Ellen urges to see the vehicle, she violently reacts to fumes of sulfuric acid, while no one else can smell the foul odor, the woman concludes they clawed their faces to remove the corrosive. Then, unfortunately, the next afternoon, a new crash with the same model Corvette leaves two more victims, driver clawing his eyes out and crashing into a bus. This incident drives Vera to explore the past of both automobiles, allowing her to deduce both had parts from the same source; they were salvaged from a notorious Hollywood actor’s wrecked vehicle, Bobby Young, who also died in the same car. The team needs to hurry since there are still components missing from the list, and it is only a matter of time before more casualties die, victims of bad luck.
In Summary:
This tale is a gruesome one, but it seems strangely fitting for the lavish Hollywood lifestyle of superficial looks, spoiled lap dogs, exaggerated vanity and fast cars. You have to chuckle as the team is introduced to the world which many of us only know via television and movies: jaded world of Los Angeles where locals are annoyed by anything, outsiders and tourists. Writer Marty Scott shows us how the soulless attitude of the city created such a dispassionate phantom, all in competition for a meaningless movie role. I like how he is able to knit the need to flaunt the muscle car also ties victims and killer together, momentary passion of a material object leading to the downfall of everyone. Then at the same time, the use of acid to burn away those vaguely associated with his car was wildly appropriate, if somewhat over the top, allowing the ghost to exact a roundabout point of vengeance, even if it was directed at the wrong people. Then again the logic of a wraith is never explainable and only makes sense to those vowing for retribution.
But it is the artwork of Jason Muhr which connects all of the elements into one cohesive display, with Robby Bevard’s spectral morbidity which grips the reader and does not let go. I am captivated how they set the mood with that opening scene: a couple driving to a romantic overlook, but as they start to get comfortable, the shocking panel of horrified hysteria, it establishes the setting so chillingly; but what cinches the mood is Bevard’s manipulation of spectral greens and the vapor which strangles us as much as the poor girl – haunting beautiful in its simplicity for such a grisly scene. And yet they lull us into a false sense of security as we return to the world of the living, in a sense, with the team arriving at LAX, giving us a chuckle as Curtis is shot down. This humbling grunge of Los Angeles adds to the amusement, people so used to a relaxed and blasé life that they are not stunned by the realization that ghosts exist; and after that introduction, it almost as if all the other deaths become fitting as a reward to uncaring people, dead set in their callousness to what is happening around them, and to themselves.
While it is nice to see the whole team back together and Ellen with an expanded understanding of her abilities, the story itself seems a bit empty, as if swallowed by the shallowness of the atmosphere. After her absence, it is convenient for our spirit talker to now have the ability to ban ghosts by her will alone. If that was going to happen, a bit of an explanation would have been relevant, and yet it still opens new venues to a rather lackluster title.
Grade: B+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: April 19, 2017
MSRP: $3.99