Hack/Slash #13 – Review

Mark Kidwell,(Writer) Tim Seeley, (Writer/Art) Emily Stone, (Art) Milian Parvanov, and Courtney Via (Colors)

It turns out that last issue was just a bump in the road (no pun intended, I swear) because Hack/Slash is in fine form this month. Just about everything in this issue is an improvement over the last and I think that if read back to back, this issue would actually elevate the last. I almost want to say now that it’s a shame the “Bump” crossover is over so soon because the concept lends itself well to some Cassie and Vlad ass kicking.

And kick ass they do in Hack/Slash #13. Picking up where they left off last month, Cassie, Vlad, and the reporter Phil O’Grady follow the lead to Eddie’s home. There they come face to face with a large number of the wooden horrors and Eddie himself. Much action, bloodshed, and graphic violence ensues in classic Hack/Slash fashion. It really doesn’t get much more complicated than that, but sometimes simplicity works best. The only drawback to the way this story plays out is at one point where the action breaks in order to move the overall story arc forward. Any momentum that had been built up immediately comes to a halt. I understand that the creative team needed to fit this crossover into continuity somehow due the cancellation of “Bump,” but it really does feel like things are coming from a completely different story (which, in a way, they are).

The writing done by Mark Kidwell is much stronger this issue thanks to, what feels like, more familiarity with the characters. He nails a nice buddy movie type vibe that keeps things light in what is, in all honesty, a pretty dark tale. Occasionally, I was frustrated by the way that he wrote Eddie, as it is sometimes difficult to understand what he’s supposed to be saying – but that is a minor complaint. Tim Seeley does a decent job with the series story elements involved, but, again, they feel out of place. He does throw in some nice humor though and the dog creature is quite entertaining. This is a fun read all around.

Thankfully, the artwork is much more consistent than the last issue. Cassie actually looks like the same person throughout the book, Vlad doesn’t have multiple faces, and there is really only one or two instances where things look a bit off. The gory action in this issue has some solid direction and there are a few great scenes even when things slow down. In particular, a humorous silhouette panel of the three main characters sneaking toward the house cracked me up.

Hack/Slash #13 does a lot to accent the “Bump” crossover storyline and I am really happy with how things concluded. Even if the last issue let you down as it did me, be sure to check out this latest issue – it definitely makes up for last month’s shortcomings. (Grade B)

-Kyle Posluszny