Fear Case #2

Fear Case #2

Dark Horse Comics 2021

Written by Matt Kindt

Illustrated by Tyler Jenkins

Coloured by Hilary Jenkins

After witnessing a bizarre murder party in a suburban swimming pool, federal agents Winters and Mitchum continue their hunt for the mysterious horror box known as the ''Fear Case,'' that plagues those whoever foolishly decide to open it.

Oh my stars and garters this just keeps getting better and better with each turn of the page. While the guys are trying to keep the case and what it can do on a hypothetical scenario kind of deal we see one is a believer and the other is trying his damndest to look for logical reasons behind what they encounter. The writing here is so outrageously strong as it takes us through the journey these two men have found themselves on. I have seen similar premises in film and on television but never quite like this before and of course that’s because no matter what the subject matter Matt can make it his own.

I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is perfectly presented. I love the way this is told so that it feels like we’re just following the Agents along and there isn’t any skipping around in time or take big leaps into the future. No instead what we see is much more akin to real life. The character development continues to get more complex and interesting as the story continues to move forward. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists & turns along the way we are in for some of the most fascinating and twisted expedition.

I am very much enjoying the way that we see this being structured and how it allows the layers within the story to take a stronger form and for new ones to arise. There is something to be said about subtext as well because how we see the characters act and react to the situations and circumstances are visibly changing who they are. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is utterly marvellous and then we hit the last page and we want to see so much more!

The interiors here are beyond amazing! I have never been so happy to see a husband and wife art team working on a book together. They know each other so well that it’s easy to see the kind of synchronicity they have. The linework we see is purely exquisite and with the varying weights and techniques being utilised to showcase the detail in the work brings out the right kind of feeling from the reader. The way that we see backgrounds not just being a part of the story but also how they work within the composition of the panels to create depth perception, a sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the book. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a masterful eye for storytelling. The colour work is truly divine. How we see the desert come to life through those various hues and tones within the colours create this perfectly picturesque landscape that transports you there. Hilary’s mastery of colour and knowing how it works and how different hues and tones are seen where you don’t expect them to is amazing to witness.

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This story is so much larger than life and that it’s a case they give to new Secret Service Agents to complete in a set timeline is even more fascinating. That no one has yet to acquire said Fear Case and how the case itself is affecting these two men has lit a fire within them and they are hellbound and determined to be the ones to finally bring it in. When you think of the Adventure Thriller you should be thinking of this!