Hack/Slash: Entry Wound

By Tim Seeley (Writer & Artist), Mike Norton, Ross Cambell, & Chris Burnham (Additional Art), and Rachelle Rosenberg (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ve been looking forward to the Hack/Slash: Entry Wound one-shot since I first heard about it. I may not be part of the target audience since I’m a longtime fan, but more Hack/Slash is always a good thing in my book.

The Story: A radio station host gives the rundown on the “Serial Killer Killer” as Cassie and Vlad head to the site of the next holiday slasher appearance. It’s the Candlemas Murderer’s turn to encounter the Hack/Slash team…

What’s Good: As advertised, the Entry Wound one-shot is sure to feel quite welcoming to new readers. It features a nice looking short story that organically gives a rundown on what Hack/Slash is about and shows the team doing what it does best. In addition, the book also gives readers an introductory letter from writer/artist Tim Seeley and a small pin-up gallery that shows the characters interpreted by various artists. All in all, Entry Wound works surprisingly well as a quality package for new readers.

What’s Not So Good: The story told in the one-shot is pretty lightweight and far from memorable. It does what it needs to do, but nothing more. Also, while I realize that the comic is meant for people new to the series, I still wish there was at least something in it for longtime fans.

Conclusion: Hack/Slash: Entry Wound does a good job doing what it is supposed to do. It’s a solid package for people new to the series and should help the series expand its fan base.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Hack/Slash #21 – Review

By Tim Seeley (Writer), Emily Stone (Art), and Mark Englert (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ve made no secret about the fact that I’m quite a fan of the Hack/Slash formula. It successfully blends a variety of genres into one extremely satisfying product. One part bloody horror story, one part buddy action comedy, one part grounded drama, and one part supernatural thriller, Hack/Slash somehow manages to work on nearly every level. While the series has hit a few bumps here and there, it always keeps me coming back for more because the basic concept is just so much fun. Simply put, you should be reading Hack/Slash.

The Story: The latest chapter of Hack/Slash sees Cassie’s past catching up with her in a big way. Longtime fans will either love or loathe the surprise returns in one of the more oddball issues of the series. Let me just say that it features one of the more interesting uses of an old lady in a comic book. Yep…

What’s Good: Story-wise, Hack/Slash #21 scores more points with me for what it sets up than for what actually happens. Though that’s not to say it isn’t a fun and entertaining issue. In fact, it might actually be one of the funniest comics I’ve read in quite some time. The bits with the elderly lady, Muffy, are so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh. Cassie and Vlad even get in on it with some great character moments both humorous and, at times, poignant. Good work Mr. Seeley.

Also worth mentioning is the art team of Emily Stone and Mark Englert. They provide solid visuals throughout the book, with a few extremely stand-out moments. I’ve been a bit hard on Emily Stone in the past (mostly regarding facial consistency and the occasionally sketchy panel), but Hack/Slash #21 features some of her best work. And that work is complimented well by Mark Englert’s effective, quality coloring.

What’s Not So Good: A lot of your enjoyment of the latest Hack/Slash arc will probably rest on what you think of the returning characters. I can easily imagine at least one of them annoying or irritating people, so I can easily imagine his (or her?!) return falling flat. Personally, I think introducing new characters might have been more interesting, but I’m not exactly against how things now stand.

Another not so good thing is that some of Stone’s pencils tend to look a bit sketchy and rough at times. While it doesn’t really distract from the otherwise nice visuals, an extra layer of polish would have helped. I say that especially because Hack/Slash is extremely close to being a consistently good to great looking series as Stone’s solid work continues to improve.

Conclusion: Hack/Slash #21 is a surprisingly funny installment to an extremely entertaining series. While some may find themselves a bit irked by the returns, I believe most will be forgiven by the time they hit the cliffhanger of an ending. I look forward to seeing where Tim Seeley and his creative team take things from this point on.

Grade:  B

-Kyle Posluszny

Hack/Slash #1: Halloween Treat – Review

By Tim Seeley (Writer), Emily Stone (Art), Courtney Via (Colors), Stefano Caselli (Intro Pencils), Sunder Raj (Intro Colors), and Sam Wells (Journal Entries)

The Story: A re-print of the very first issue of the Hack/Slash ongoing series, this “Halloween Treat” is an origin tale loaded with special features. In addition to the the full #1 issue, the book features a peek into Cassie’s diary (useful for catching up on some Hack/Slash history), a “slasher” checklist,” and more.

The origin tale is told as Cassie is bound to a chair and tortured while her skinless captor assesses her psychological state and how she came to hunt down “slashers.” If you ever wanted to know about Cassie’s family, her first meeting with Vlad, or how she became the character she currently is, this is the place to look.

What’s Good: This is how you make a re-print worthwhile for both new and current readers. The #1 issue alone is worth the price of admission thanks to a smart, compelling plot scenario and great artwork, but the special features are what push this one into must-buy territory.

What’s Not So Good: There is no denying that Cassie’s past follows a very familiar trajectory. For a series that succeeds in differentiating itself from the more conventional hero stories, the origin of Cassie is surprisingly predictable. Also, on a more personal note, this re-print made me realize how much I miss Stefano Caselli’s Hack/Slash work.

Conclusion: A perfectly executed re-print, Hack/Slash #1: Halloween Treat is a must have for fans and a great read for those that have yet to give the series a shot.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny