It’s the 1800s in Western US. A great time for evil and drama! Presenting: Midnight Western Theatre #1 from Scout Comics.
It’s a town without much, and soon to be made even more vacant, like a blank canvas, except covered in a layer of blood. Red Tom, the dirty sidewinder, has decided to claim the town of Liberty Springs as his very own. However, just as things are decidedly going in Red Tom’s favour, a couple of strangers arrive at the saloon. These ‘come from aways’ seem to have their own agenda, which does not mesh with that of Red Tom and his boys. Drama ensues, and plenty of it!
Writer Louis Southard gets right down to the nitty-gritty in this first issue of MWT. The vast expanses of the west, contrasted with the claustrophobic scenes of barrooms and side alleys. Hard to swallow a drink in the saloon when there’s a gun pointed at your head! The lines are drawn in the dust, the sides are decided, and it’s a dastardly situation to be sure!
Artist David Hahn, with Colourist Ryan Cody, bring us the authentic feel, a dramatically positioned staging of this western horror tale. The figures are well executed, plus there is a sense of restraint in the visuals that is satisfying and appropriate for the times. Letters are by Buddy Beaudoin.
The twists, even if we sense them ‘a’comin’, the strangeness, the violence, and horror are just settin’ in, the earth tones, the darkness, the drama that kicks off this series are all good. Check out this title, it’s off to a great commencement!
Scout Comics, Midnight Western Theatre #1, $3.99 for 24 pages of content. Adult for horror
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