Blood Feud #1 by Cullen Bunn (W), Drew Moss (A), and Nick Filardi (C)
Oni Press (October 7, 2015)
$3.99
Reviewed by Blu Gilliand
A lot of people are going to look at the variant cover of Blood Feud #1 – the one modeled after the poster for the original Friday the 13th movie – and assume it’s a slasher series. I know I did. And while it’s definitely a horror book, there’s a lot more going on than a psycho stalker in a mask.
In this first issue, writer Cullen Bunn introduces us to Spider Creek, Missouri, a town that comes by its name honestly. In quick order we meet residents Cecil and R.F., and a visitor named Sue Hatchell. Sue has come to the town to study its large spider population, and is in fact watching over a massive tarantula migration when she meets the boys.
We’re also introduced to the Whatley and Stubbs families, a couple of rough, redneck clans who have been at war for generations. Their feud goes way beyond rifles and ambushes, however; these families harbor dark secrets and abilities, and it looks like the fight between them is escalating to dangerous new heights. Odd, old school portents and omens are popping up all over town. These are bad, but it’s not until R.F. and company make a startling discovery at an isolated farmhouse that we get a real inkling of how terrible things are about to get.
Bunn does a good job of establishing characters, atmosphere and plot all in a compact space. He’s assisted mightily by the artwork of Drew Moss, who shows both the natural beauty and the white trash ugliness that often reside side-by-side in rural areas. He’s not bad at the gore either. Nick Filardi’s colors pop in all the right places, even in the subdued nighttime scenes.
Blood Feud #1 is a promising start to a series that should appeal to a wide range of horror fans. Hit up your local comic book store this month and give it a shot.
