The second issue of Dark Sanctuary is now available from Sandstone Comics, an indie comic company located in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.
In “Bloodied”, teenager Cassie has left home, and Dad is chasing after her. Sheltered at the Sanctuary, in a dark and spooky part of Charlotte City, Cassie is a new recruit for the Sanctuary team. Some might think of the Sanctuary as, well, a refuge, a safe place. But Cassie’s handlers are not what they first appear to be, and there is some true evil underfoot!
Written by D. A. Stewart and illustrated by Sandy Carruthers (Malibu’s Men in Black, plus Charlton Arrow, Spookman, etc), Dark Sanctuary has all the hallmarks of comic horror: the aura of impending danger, the eccentric and emotionally charged characters, the dark and dangerous streets and alleys.
It’s in this EC Comic tradition that Dark Sanctuary lurks: Cassie being hunted and yet made to work for her Dickensian lodging, and the sense of dread Cassie experiences when it dawns on her that her life is about to get worse in a hurry.
Carruther’s hand drawn line style really suits this tale: the character expressions are detailed and well rendered, the Charlotte City streets are shadowy and scratchy; the moments of violence resonate with sudden impact. Carruther’s light hand in the colouring emphasizes the bleakness of the Sanctuary’s inner demons.
Check out Dark Sanctuary #2; available directly from the artist and Sandstone Comics via email: sandy@sandstonecomics.com
Sandstone Comics, Dark Sanctuary #2 (of 4), $3.99 for 24 pages of content.
Newsdesk