I don’t normally read a lot of comics, but I do own a lot (yeah, I’m that kind of person). However, when I get a chance to sit down and read one, I usually end up enjoying the heck out of them. The Dark of the Forest, from Freaktown Comics, is no different. In fact, with it’s gory, quick story and dash of nudity, The Dark of the Forest is exactly my kind of comic.
Short nitty gritty plot description is as follows: It
all started out so innocently.
Seven
friends set out on a birdwatching weekend in the middle of the Navarre forest.
Little did they know that while they were watching the birds, something else
was watching them. Something that wasn’t human. Something very protective of
the forest, and willing to kill anyone that gets in its way.
Something
hungry.
Freaktown
Comics brings you a desperate tale of survival, humans united against a
mysterious and deadly predator in a bloody battle to the death.
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Tatlock’s Quick ‘n Dirty Recap: The story takes place in the 70s and follows a group of friends heading out to the woods in Northern Spain, to do some bird watching, mixed with a dash of sleeping around. During the first night, Lazaro tells the tale of some creatures called Basajaun, around the camp fire and everyone plays if off as some old folks tale. Cue the next day and a friend is missing and before you know it, the bodies start piling very high.
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Tatlock’s Opinion: Clocking in at 48 pages, The Dark of the Forest takes no time getting to the gory, good stuff. In fact, the story is super minimalistic, only dishing out what we need to know and that’s about it. I enjoyed that it didn’t take me long at all to get to the best stuff and that stuff is the bloody stuff. The gore will fly and people will be ripped apart. No one is safe in this campy tale. Also, expect some sprinkles of humor to tickle your funny bone. I’m not talking a laugh riot or anything, but I did a chuckle a few times. The art style goes for a cartoony look, with blocky style characters and a played down colour palette, which in my opinion does a great job at capturing the 70s look.
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As for complaints, characterization is a little thin and we never really get to know any of them. It could also just be me, but I had a hard time following the flow of the panels every once and awhile. Of course, as I said above, I don’t normally read comics, so I find that when I do, I’m always reading the wrong speech bubble, or going to the wrong panel, it’s just this time, I felt like I did it with this comic more than I normally do.
Verdict: The Dark of the Forest takes no time to read and no page is wasted. The story is thin, but the gore is thick and it’s ending leaves it open for a continuing series. Here’s to hoping it continues on.
Rating: 4/5 (-1 for some thin characterization and troubles with following the flow of the panels. +4 for some great gore, nudity and a fun quick read.)